Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Advance Gender Equality at Annual Meeting in Yellowknife

July 11, 2025

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for the Status of Women concluded their 43rd annual meeting yesterday in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Co-chaired by the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), and the Honourable Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, the meeting addressed critical issues affecting women.

During the meeting, Ministers noted achievements highlighted in the first Annual Progress Report on the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence, marking a united commitment to support and respond to the needs of victims, survivors, their families, and the organizations that serve them. They also emphasized the need to continue working together to strengthen services and programs that are evidence-based and recognize the specific realities of the provinces and territories.

Also highlighted was the need for engagement with men and boys to prevent gender-based violence from occurring. Reflecting priorities discussed during the June 2, 2025, First Ministers’ Meeting, FPT Ministers emphasized the need to keep working together to address intimate partner and gender-based violence, to help create safe communities, strengthen the criminal justice system, and address coercive control.

FPT Ministers reiterated the importance of increasing the participation and retention of women in high-growth and high-paying sectors and ensuring that women have equal opportunities in Canada’s evolving economy.

The Ministers also examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence and its impact on online harassment and gender-based violence – emphasizing the need for more data and research to inform strategies to address the issue, foster safer digital environments, and include opportunities for women in the field.

Ministers concluded the meeting with a renewed resolve to work together on advancing gender equality, increasing women’s economic empowerment and prosperity and ending gender-based violence. Ministers agreed to make further efforts to communicate, coordinate, and further improve the complementarity of funding offered to women’s and gender equality organizations in the provinces and territories.

The FPT meeting was preceded by a distinct meeting with Indigenous leaders and representatives, which focused on common priorities, including addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQI+ people, combatting human trafficking, and promoting economic empowerment. These important conversations ensure Indigenous perspectives are included to help shape strategies that are responsive to the distinct realities, histories, and needs of Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQI+ people. These conversations also foster lasting progress in gender equality through culturally informed, community-driven solutions.

Quotes

“I am pleased to have participated in this week’s Federal, Provincial and Territorial meetings for Ministers responsible for the Status of Women, where we emphasized the urgent need for increased supports in rural and northern areas of our country for those experiencing intimate partner violence. Acknowledging that economic empowerment remains one of the most vital tools for women seeking to safely leave abusive relationships was another important discussion, as was the growing concern around how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are being misused to perpetuate gender-based violence.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Achieving gender equality requires bold leadership, strong partnerships, unwavering persistence, and decisive action. As Canada’s new Minister of Women and Gender Equality, I am proud to stand beside provincial and territorial Ministers, Indigenous leaders and community partners in moving this critical work forward. This meeting reinforces our shared responsibility to create safer, more inclusive communities for everyone in Canada to thrive, lead, and succeed.”
Honourable Rechie Valdez
Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
Government of Canada

“In the North, we know that safety, healing, and empowerment begin with listening to communities and honouring cultural strengths. By sharing perspectives from across the country, we can shape solutions that reflect the lived realities of all women and gender-diverse people. This year’s meeting reinforced our shared commitment to advance culturally grounded approaches, elevate regional voices, and work together to build safer, more inclusive spaces for all Canadians.”
Honourable Lucy Kuptana
Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

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Learn more
Office of Women and Gender Equality

Women and Gender Equality Canada

Forum of Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for the Status of Women

National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence a significant step towards gender equality

2023-2024 Annual Progress Report on the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence

Backgrounder: National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence

Joint Declaration for a Canada free of Gender-based Violence

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy

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