The Government of Canada is looking to support projects that help women feel more physically and economically secure.
Local MP Brian Storseth is encouraging local groups to apply to the call for proposal from Status of Women Canada that is specifically targeted at rural communities.
The government is looking to help community groups with programs like women’s shelters, self-defence classes, and workshops that help make women safer.
Storseth said those sorts of programs often don’t exist in rural areas.
“Rural Canada has the same issues in this regard as urban Canada we just don’t have all the same resources applied.”
Storseth said domestic violence is a problem just as much in rural Canada as elsewhere and it is important to confront the issue and not ignore it.
“It is something that is very important to rural Albertans and although it is often something that is swept under the rug it is critically important to the young children involved in these situations.”
The grant program is open to not-for-profit and for-profit organizations, but not municipalities. It is meant to provide funding for new programs, but not new buildings. A total of $19 million is available as part of the program.
Individual community groups can apply for up to $300,000, which can include funding for the childcare and travel expenses of women taking part in programs.
The other part of the project that aims to address the economic future of women in rural Canada will give up to $300,000 to help community groups develop a plan that will help women become more financially secure.
Storseth said he believed it was important for the government to put these programs in the hands of community organizations.
“The organizations that decided to get together to help out, they need to have some input on this and they are the ones who need to own it.”
Information on how to apply to the program is available on the program’s website at www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.
