Thursday, January 1, 2026
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

Canada to match donations to Red Cross to help earthquake-stricken Morocco

Canada to match donations to Red Cross to help earthquake-stricken Morocco
The federal government says it will match donations to the Canadian Red Cross over the next two weeks to help Morocco recover from a devastating earthquake. International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says every donation to the Red Cross made by individuals from Sept. 8 to 28 will be matched by the government, to a maximum of $3 million.

Canada to match donations to Red Cross to help earthquake-stricken Morocco

BC United member Bruce Banman defects to provincial Conservatives

BC United member Bruce Banman defects to provincial Conservatives
Bruce Banman, the MLA for Abbotsford South, says he is proud to join his friend B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad in the provincial legislature. BC United Leader Kevin Falcon says in a statement that Banman's move to the Conservatives is not entirely unexpected but it betrays those constituents who elected him to serve as part of the BC United team.

BC United member Bruce Banman defects to provincial Conservatives

Seven in 10 Canadians worried about climate change, link it to extreme weather

Seven in 10 Canadians worried about climate change, link it to extreme weather
A large majority of Canadians are worried about climate change and believe it is the reason for an increase in extreme weather, a new national poll suggests. The polling firm asked more than 1,500 people about their views on climate change in an online survey conducted between Sept. 8 and 10.  

Seven in 10 Canadians worried about climate change, link it to extreme weather

Housing gap to restore affordability remains at about 3.5 million units: CMHC

Housing gap to restore affordability remains at about 3.5 million units: CMHC
The federal housing agency says in its updated outlook that the supply picture has improved somewhat in Ontario, but has worsened in other provinces like Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia. Overall, CMHC estimates 3.45 million houses are needed beyond current construction trends, compared with 3.52 million in its outlook from June of last year.

Housing gap to restore affordability remains at about 3.5 million units: CMHC

Federal Court hearing arguments on deportation of truck driver in Broncos crash

Federal Court hearing arguments on deportation of truck driver in Broncos crash
The case of a former truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash is in Federal Court, where arguments are being heard today over his possible deportation. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu was sentenced in 2019 to eight years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death and bodily harm in the Saskatchewan crash that killed 16 people and injured 13 others. 

Federal Court hearing arguments on deportation of truck driver in Broncos crash

3 teens allegedly assaulted on a bus: Nanaimo RCMP

3 teens allegedly assaulted on a bus: Nanaimo RCMP
The Nanaimo R-C-M-P have released a photo as they seek help identifying a man who allegedly assaulted three teens on a bus late last month. Mounties say R-D-N Transit reported that there was an interaction between the man and the teens ranging in age from 13 to 16.  

3 teens allegedly assaulted on a bus: Nanaimo RCMP