REGINA — Organizations and programs aimed at addressing gender based violence have received a funding boost from the province.
The Saskatchewan government confirmed it was providing $1.46 million in additional funding through the ten-year National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence. The province says this funding will go to support 10 organizations and programs across the province to develop tools to support outreach, programming and advocacy.
According to the province’s news release on Feb. 17, organizations receiving the funding include the following:
Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) ($280,000);
Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) ($250,000);
Anchor & Thread Community Services Inc. ($100,000);
Regina Transition House ($100,000);
United Way of Regina ($50,000);
Coalition of Regional Sexual Assault Centres Inc. ($50,000);
Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS) ($248,000);
Rapport Clinical Consulting Group ($140,000);
Buffalo Narrows Friendship Centre ($192,000); and
Muskoday First Nation ($47,000).
This funding will be provided to those community partners in 2026 and 2027. The province says that through the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General it has invested around $7 million of National Action plan funding into gender-based violence programming and supports.
"Gender-based violence is a deeply complex and challenging issue that continues to impact far too many people in communities across our province," Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod said at the announcement.
"The Government of Saskatchewan takes interpersonal violence and abuse very seriously, and we will continue to take action in this province through legislation, funding, and programs that focus on prevention, intervention and accountability."
“As the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, and as someone who is formerly a nurse, I have seen firsthand how violence affects health, confidence and opportunity, and how strong supports can change a family's life,” said Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Alana Ross.
"This funding strengthens Saskatchewan's approach, which is guided by three pillars, the pillars of prevention, intervention and accountability. This new investment will support prevention programs and expand supports for people who experience violence. This is a practical, targeted support that builds on the work already underway to make sure women, children, and families live safer and healthier lives.”
Dr. Crystal Giesbrecht, director of research with PATHS, said the funding is making an impact.
“Relating to the importance of national action plans, and specifically Canada's national action plan to end gender-based violence, this is making a difference in several ways,” Giesbrecht said.
“International bodies, including the UN Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, have called on countries to establish NAPs. Currently, 80 countries around the world have national action plans on gender-based violence or violence against women. This is essential for delivering funding that can be tracked and monitored, and here in Canada, we are very invested in this work.”
