Canada and New Brunswick Ministers for Status of Women Highlight Support For Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

OTTAWA, April 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women will meet today with her provincial colleague Marie-Claude Blais, the Justice Minister, Attorney General and minister responsible for women's issues in New Brunswick, to discuss ways to end violence against women and girls in the province.

"The Harper Government is committed to improving the lives of women and girls across Canada," said Minister Ambrose. "In every region of Canada, including in New Brunswick, we must remember that women's safety and security is essential to their well- being, and that of their family and community." 

"Everyone will need to be part of the solution if we are to reduce and prevent violence against women and girls in New Brunswick" said Marie-Claude Blais, Justice Minister, Attorney General and minister responsible for women's issues in New Brunswick. "That is why we have pledged to work together with our federal counterparts to do just that."

Minister Ambrose will be meeting with Minister Blais to discuss issues of mutual concern, including the need to engage men and boys in ending violence against women and girls. Minister Ambrose will also take the occasion to commend Minister Blais and her provincial colleagues across Atlantic Canada for their important work on cyber safety for girls, and the pressing issue of cyber bullying.

Through Status of Women Canada, the Government of Canada has recently invested in a number of projects in New Brunswick, including:

• In Greater Moncton, the Centre d'accueil et d'accompagnement francophone des immigrants du Sud-Est du Nouveau-Brunswick (CAFI) is undertaking a 24-month project to engage immigrant men and boys in ending violence against women and girls.
• In Saint John, the Saint John Volunteer Centre Inc. is undertaking an 18-month project to identify and reduce barriers to young women's participation in leadership roles, particularly membership on boards of directors of community organizations.
• In the Saint John area, the Urban Core Support Network Inc. is undertaking a 36-month project entitled Roots/Routes to Women's Leadership and Empowerment: Best Practices. This project will see the organization work directly with women in the Saint John area to provide leadership training using an asset-based approach to increase their economic prospects. 

The Harper Government is committed to supporting projects that yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening families, communities and the country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government's support for community-based projects has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, from $10.8 million to close to $19 million each year, its highest level ever.

SOURCE: Status of Women Canada