“Woefully underfunded”: Gilmour calls on Ford to up support for gender-based violence survivors

QUEEN’S PARK — Ontario NDP Shadow Minister for Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity Alexa Gilmour is calling on the Doug Ford government to increase social services funding to non-shelter-based organizations supporting survivors of gender-based violence.

Services for survivors that offer assistance beyond just shelter space say that families in need could fall through the cracks without more provincial funding.

“The Ford government is failing victims and survivors of violence by woefully underfunding the social services they need most,” said Gilmour. “$26.7 million to shelter and family court support services is a start, but the Premier is not meeting the needs of organizations who help survivors access things like career coaching, legal support, and food banks.”

The York Region Centre for Community Safety (YRCCS) says that government funding is decreasing to just six percent of its budget next fiscal year, down from 35% in fiscal year 2025.

“November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Canada,” added Gilmour. “New Democrats are asking Ford to invest in Ontario’s social services to protect survivors, and create opportunities for them to build the life they want.”