The Government of Canada Supports Aboriginal and Immigrant Women Leaving Abusive Relationships

News Releases
December 20, 2007

PETERBOROUGH, ONT.- On behalf of The Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Dean Del Mastro, Member of Parliament (Peterborough), today announced funding to the Community Opportunity and Innovation Network (Peterborough) Inc. for a 12-month project to help Aboriginal and immigrant women leave abusive relationships.Aboriginal and immigrant women in abusive relationships often have limited access to the support they need to be able to leave the relationship and establish their emotional and economic independence. Funding in the amount $77,045 will enable the Community Innovation Network (Peterborough) Inc. both to create a mutual support network for approximately 50 Aboriginal and immigrant women during their transition away from violent family situations and provide assistance with job training and job applications. The project will build a cross-agency peer support network among the approximately 20 local groups that deal with various aspects of violence against women.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support projects aimed at ensuring the full participation of women in every aspect of Canadian society,” said Mr. Del Mastro. “We need to ensure that Aboriginal and immigrant women have access to the support services they need when they are faced with violence and abuse.”

Linda Slavin, General Manager of the Community Opportunity and Innovation Network (Peterborough) Inc., said, “We are delighted to have the support of the federal government to carry out our project, Women Helping Women: Partnerships for Achieving Independence. It will make a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal, immigrant and other women in our community who have experienced violence.”

Minister Verner announced on October 11 that 60 projects will receive a total of $8 million in funding through the Women’s Community Fund of the Women’s Program of Status of Women Canada. The projects will have an impact on 260,000 women and girls across Canada.

Status of Women Canada is a federal government agency working to promote the full participation of women in the economic, social and cultural life of Canada.

For information on Status of Women Canada, visit http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/.

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For more information, please contact:

Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
(819) 997-7788

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director, Communications
Status of Women Canada
(613) 995-7839