Question Period Note: 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (C)

2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (C) – Transfer from Statutory Authority to Grants and Contributions

• The Government of Canada is taking action to protect our economy, and the health, safety, and jobs of all Canadians during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• This is why, in the fall, the Government of Canada announced additional funding of $50 million to be delivered through Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) to support organizations providing supports and services to those experiencing gender-based violence.
• Of the $50 million, $8.7 million is included in these Estimates to allow WAGE to continue to address gender-based violence during the pandemic.
• To date, the Government has provided $100 million in emergency funding to organizations across Canada, including women’s shelters, sexual assault centres, women’s organizations and other organizations offering significant GBV supports to women to ensure continuity of services during this challenging time.
• Over 1,000 organizations have received emergency funding supporting nearly 800,000 people.

Supplementary Estimates are part of the normal parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move them forward, therefore meeting the needs of Canadians.

The 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (C) were tabled in Parliament on February 16, 2021.

These are the third and final Supplementary Estimates published in 2020-21 and, as such, is identified as Supplementary Estimates (C). The Appropriation Act received Royal Assent on March 30, 2021.

In the fall, WAGE received $50 million in statutory funding to address gender-based violence during the pandemic pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act, expiring on December 31, 2020. Of that $50 million, $8.7 million in funding to the Province of Quebec had not been disbursed by that date.

In order to disburse the $8.7 million to the Province of Quebec, an agreement needed to be amended. The agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of Quebec was amended and signed on February 12, 2021.

Through these estimates, WAGE requested that $8.7 million be transferred from the Statutory vote to the Grants and Contributions vote to allow continued access to that funding.

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