Question Period Note: Supports for Indigenous Women

• We know that Indigenous women face unique challenges such as accessing services and necessities that are linked to their safety and well-being, particularly during COVID-19.

• This is why we are making investments to address the social determinants of health, including housing, economic opportunities, and Indigenous-led healthcare systems.

• We are working to ensure the security and well-being of Indigenous women and girls by supporting and expanding a network of family violence prevention shelters for First Nations communities across the country, and in the territories.

The Family Violence Prevention Program
The goal of the Family Violence Prevention Program is to improve the safety and security of Indigenous women, children and families. It provides funding for the following components: day-to-day operations of emergency shelters that provide services for women and children ordinarily resident on reserve, and in the territories; community-driven prevention projects; reimbursement of Alberta and the Yukon for Indigenous women and families accessing shelters off reserve; support for shelter capacity; and, engagement and community prevention projects to raise awareness and target Métis women, girls, and LGBTQ2 people.

On May 29, 2020, funding of $44.8 million over five years was announced to build 12 new shelters: 10 shelters for First Nations communities across the country, and two in the territories. The government will also provide $40.8 million to support operational costs for these new shelters over the first five years, and then $10.2 million annually ongoing.

This funding is in addition to the $10 million previously announced in COVID-19 supports for First Nations shelters and to the $1 million per year ongoing to engage Métis leaders and service providers on assessing shelter needs and community-led violence prevention projects for Métis women, girls, LGBTQ, and Two-Spirit People.

Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples
More than half of the Indigenous population in Canada lives in an urban centre. Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples is designed to assist First Nations, Inuit, and Métis living in or transitioning to urban centres, and aims to address challenges faced by some of the most at-risk community members, including Indigenous women. Funding is provided through four streams: Organizational Capacity, Programs and Services, Coalitions, and Research and Innovation. One of the key priority areas under Programs and Services is Women and this supports projects such as women-only day program, self empowerment and self care programs, healing program for women that escaped family violence, etc. Distinctions-based funding includes allocations for friendship centres, the Métis Nation, and the Inuit.

To address the immediate needs in First Nation, Inuit and Métis Nation communities due to COVID-19, the Indigenous Community Support Fund was created. In March 2020, $305 million was initially announced, but was increased to $380 million in May 2020 and includes $90 million to address needs of First Nations off reserve and Indigenous peoples in urban centres. An additional $305 million was announced August 12th with a portion of this funding going to support proposals from Indigenous organizations and communities providing services to First Nations living off reserve and urban Indigenous Peoples. This funding brings the total investments in the Indigenous Community Support Fund to $685 million.

If pressed on shelters for Indigenous women and girls
• Shelters in Indigenous communities provide a vital place of refuge for women and children escaping violence.

• In May, we announced $44.8 million over five years to build 12 new shelters to help support Indigenous women and children escaping domestic violence, as well as $40.8 million over five years and $10.2 million ongoing to operate these shelters.

• Applications for these new shelters can be submitted until January 15, 2021 via the website for the Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation.

• This funding is in addition to the previously announced COVID-19 supports for First Nations shelters.
If pressed on supports & services for Indigenous women in urban centres
• Indigenous women and their families living in urban centres, have unique needs and challenges.
• In response to COVID-19, we initially provided $90 million to support Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and First Nations off reserve. A portion of the additional funding announced in August could be used to provide services to this population.

• Budget 2019 invested $60 million to provide safe and accessible spaces for urban Indigenous peoples to receive services.
• Over 300 violence prevention projects are funded on and off reserve annually.