Canada: Federal Government Invests $15.5 Million to Strengthen National Women’s Organizations.

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), joined by Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, Seniors, and Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities), announced $15.5 million in federal funding to strengthen national women’s organizations across Canada.

In order to promote women’s and girls’ full involvement in Canada’s economic, social, and democratic life, national women’s organisations are essential. Across the nation, their efforts support more inclusive leadership, greater democratic participation, and robust economic growth.

Of the total investment, $14.5 million will be directed to national women’s organisations through the Canadian Women’s Foundation. The funding will support organisations working in key areas, including justice, leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and the prevention of gender-based violence. Recipient organisations will be selected in the coming weeks.

“Strengthening the women’s sector helps advance gender equality and create meaningful economic and leadership opportunities for Canadians. When we invest in women and girls, we are building a stronger and more inclusive Canada.”

The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)

“Across Toronto and Canada, women’s organizations are supporting survivors, protecting rights, and helping women step into leadership roles. This funding recognizes the impact of that work and ensures organizations can keep showing up for the people who rely on them.”

Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities), and Member of Parliament for Toronto—St. Paul’s, Ontario

An additional up to $1 million will be provided to the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW). CRIAW will collaborate with other national women’s organisations and key stakeholders beyond the women’s sector to help build a more sustainable, coordinated, and resilient sector. This initiative aims to strengthen long-term efforts to address persistent gender inequalities in Canada.

The investment reflects the federal government’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and supporting organisations that create meaningful, lasting change for women and girls nationwide.

Federal Investments Continue to Advance Women’s Economic Equality in Canada

Women in Canada reached a historic high in labour force participation in 2024, with 85 per cent of women aged 25 to 54 working full-time, part-time, or actively seeking employment. Despite this progress, women earned an average of 87 cents for every dollar earned by men, with even larger wage gaps affecting Black, Indigenous, and racialised women.

Federal support through the Women’s Program is helping to address these persistent inequalities by reducing barriers to employment, education, and leadership. Funded projects have reached more than 400,000 women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the country, providing support such as mentorship, skills training, access to childcare, flexible work options, and initiatives to address pay inequity and workplace discrimination.

The Women’s Program has also strengthened more than 4,500 partnerships within and across sectors. These collaborations have connected women directly to job opportunities, training programs, funding, peer networks, and hands-on support that help advance careers and leadership opportunities.

In December 2024, the Fall Economic Statement committed $15 million over three years, beginning in 2024–25, to the Women’s Program. The funding is designed to build the capacity of national women’s organisations, including support for projects focused on ending gender-based violence and improving safety, health, and economic security for women and girls.

Building on this commitment, Budget 2025 announced ongoing funding for Women and Gender Equality Canada to continue advancing gender equality nationwide. This funding will support the women’s sector and time-limited initiatives aimed at addressing systemic barriers to women’s equality in Canadian society.