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March 22, 2000
(Executive Council)

 

Minister announces continued support for women�s centres

Women�s centres in the province will continue to operate and provide valuable services to their communities thanks to funding announced in today�s budget. Seven centres throughout the province, operated by Status of Women Councils, will receive $30,000 each for the 2000-2001 fiscal year for a total of $210,000.

The money will go to women�s centres in St. John�s, Gander, Corner Brook, Stephenville, Port aux Basques, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and Wabush-Labrador City. Julie Bettney, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, says these centres have carved out a unique niche for themselves in the community services network in this province.

"These centres are able to focus on the issues and concerns of women as a specific clientele," said Minister Bettney. "The direct services the centres provide, such as lay counseling and support for witnesses in courts, are viewed positively by clients and other agencies. Sometimes the centres attract a group of clients who may not access services through traditional routes."

Minister Bettney says the women�s centres also provide government with input from the perspective of women. This helps government be more responsive to the needs of women. She says support for the women�s centres helps to ensure government�s commitment to improve the economic and social reality of women in Newfoundland and Labrador which will be of benefit to all people in the province.

Media contact: Adiat Junaid, (709) 729-5009.

BACKGROUNDER
Women�s centres

  • Women�s centres are run by provincial Status of Women Councils. The centres used to be funded by the federal government through Status of Women Canada, however, as of April 1998, they became ineligible for operating funds from Status of Women Canada.

  • Although the councils can still apply to the federal government for project funding, their chances of continuing to operate without a stable source of funding are considerably reduced.

  • Recognizing the value of women�s centres, the provincial government provided the Status of Women Councils with funding for the centres beginning in the 1998-1999 fiscal year.

  • The amount of funding that the women�s centres receive ($30,000) allows them to maintain their infrastructure and pay a part-time or part-year coordinator. They also rely on their volunteer membership to carry out a number of the activities of the centres.

  • The women�s centres are responsive to the economic and social realities of their areas.

2000 03 22


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