This release was issued under a previous government.

The Government of Alberta is fulfilling its commitment to enhance supports for women and children affected by family violence with $15 million in new funding. This investment will help make a broader range of supports available, including counselling or other community supports, such as help locating housing or accessing financial assistance.

“The Alberta Government is committed to protecting women and children affected by family violence. This new funding will help ensure they are safe and get the support they need to maintain their independence free of violence.”

Irfan Sabir, Minister of Human Services

“Women and children affected by family violence need somewhere safe to rebuild their lives after leaving an abusive relationship. Our government is committed to supporting survivors by providing a broader array of services, such as counselling and help accessing financial assistance as they continue their journey toward independence.”

- Shannon Phillips, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women

Following consultation with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) and its members, several areas will be supported, including:

  • helping offset increased operating costs at women’s emergency shelters;
  • providing program funding in all 11 second-stage shelters;
  • hiring 84 new outreach support workers and 40 child and youth counsellors to work in shelters and communities across the province;
  • increased fee-for-service rates to support on-reserve emergency shelters; and
  • enhancing data collection, research and training.

For the 2015-16 fiscal year, the additional funding brings the total annual investment to more than $49 million to support women’s emergency and second-stage shelters.

The Alberta Government also recently announced nearly $10 million for 76 local projects to prevent family and sexual violence and child abuse through the Family and Community Safety Program grants. This included almost $672,000 to enhance programs offered through four organization’s supporting women’s emergency shelters, along with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.

Listen to the news conference