Monday, December 29, 2025
ADVT 
National

Alberta sexual assault centres to be consulted on spending additional $10 million

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Apr, 2024 04:01 PM
  • Alberta sexual assault centres to be consulted on spending additional $10 million

An additional $3 million is being allocated in 2024-25 to support 15 sexual assault centres.

There will be another $3 million in 2025-26 and $4 million in 2026-27.

"Nearly half of Albertans have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. That's 1.8 million too many," Family Services Minister Searle Turton told a news conference Tuesday.

"I've heard how it impacts every aspect of their well-being and their relationships, not to mention their ability to trust and feel safe."

Alberta signed a deal last fall to receive $54 million in federal funding to create and implement a 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence. 

The funding, which will be allocated to the province over four years, is part of a national plan to tackle gender-based violence. 

Turton said how the money will be spent will be determined by the sexual assault centres in roundtable discussions in the coming weeks.

"This will allow government to hear directly from centres and those who work with survivors every day how this funding can best address their urgent needs," he said.

Tanya Fir, Alberta's minister for the status of women, said the facilities represent "hope and safe havens" where survivors can receive support. 

The news was welcomed by the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services.

Corinne Ofstie, co-chief executive officer, said it will help members respond to the increasingly complex needs of individuals and communities affected by sexual violence.

"It is difficult for survivors to reach out for help in the aftermath of sexual violence," she said.

"It is critical they receive help in a timely way as close to home as possible."

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says
A commercial helicopter with 14 people on board landed safely in Victoria on Tuesday after it was hit by lightning. Rick Hill, the vice-president of Helijet, said the aircraft was at about 1,200 metres when it was hit by lightning, the two pilots on board took the chopper down to below the clouds and then landed without trouble in Victoria a few minutes later. 

B.C. helicopter lands safely after being hit by lightning, Helijet says

84 year old struck in New Westminster

84 year old struck in New Westminster
Police in New Westminster are looking for witnesses and dash-cam video after a hit-and-run left an 84-year-old man with serious injuries. Police say officers found the man who had been hit by a driver in the parking lot of a gas station at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street around 8 p-m Monday night.

84 year old struck in New Westminster

India resuming some visa services at high commission, consulates in Canada

India resuming some visa services at high commission, consulates in Canada
India's high commission in Canada said on Wednesday that the country's officials will resume processing some types of visa applications in Ottawa and at consulates in Toronto and Vancouver. The decision came a month after New Delhi suspended the services in Canada and for Canadian citizens worldwide.

India resuming some visa services at high commission, consulates in Canada

BOC keeping interest rate at 5%

BOC keeping interest rate at 5%
The Bank of Canada is keeping its key interest rate at five per cent, saying there are clearer signs that monetary policy is moderating spending and relieving price pressures. But it hasn't ruled out future rate hikes as those pressures remain high.

BOC keeping interest rate at 5%

BC United calls premier 'condo king' over his property sale; Eby says 'nonsense'

BC United calls premier 'condo king' over his property sale; Eby says 'nonsense'
The sale of Premier David Eby's condominium in Victoria has become embroiled in the debate over the New Democrat government's proposed law on short-term rental accommodations. The Opposition BC United accused Eby on Tuesday of largely profiting from the sale of his condominium in 2019 because it was in a building complex that did not have rental restrictions.

BC United calls premier 'condo king' over his property sale; Eby says 'nonsense'

Boat capsizes, 61 year old dead

Boat capsizes, 61 year old dead
RCMP say a 61-year-old man was alone when the tugboat he was piloting capsized off Vancouver.  Mounties say they received a report of a body washing ashore on Tower Beach on Monday afternoon on the U-B-C endowment lands. 

Boat capsizes, 61 year old dead