Manitoba first province to sign on to federal funding for crisis hotlines
A spike in calls to crisis hotlines from survivors of gender-based violence is being met with a boost in funding from the federal government.
Ottawa is dolling out cash to provinces and territories to help organizations answer phones and connect callers with help.
It comes amid a spike in the number of people seeking support during the pandemic and growing financial pressures on families due to the rising cost of living.
“We increased the number of volunteers that we have and we’ve been increasing some staff but there are times when people are trying to get through and they have difficulty doing so and that’s a very real concern for us,” said Ayn Wilcox, executive director of Klinic Community Health.
Last year more than 38,000 crisis line calls were answered by Klinic and between 2020 and 2022 there was a 231 per cent increase in calls to its Sexual Assault Crisis Program.
The federal government is giving $30 million it set aside in the 2021 budget to crisis hotlines across Canada, and Manitoba — the first and only province so far to sign on to the bilateral funding agreement — is getting $1 million over four years.
It’s money Rochelle Squires, the province’s Families Minister, said has already been earmarked for Klinic’s crisis line.
“It’s really important for us to ensure the stability and sustainability of that crisis hotline or those crisis hotlines that they run and this funding will ensure that sustainability,” Squires said.
Details on exactly how the money will be used are still being worked out but Klinic said it’ll likely go towards training and technology.
Marci Ien, the federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, made the announcement after meeting with survivors of gender-based violence at Ka Ni Kanichihk’s Velma’s House, a safe space for women and gender-diverse people, which will soon be open 24 hours a day.
“We know that crisis hotlines are a lifeline for women fleeing domestic violence,” Ien said. “I’ve heard it myself. Timely connection to support and services can and often is the difference between life and death.”
Lorie English, the head of the West Central Women’s Resource Centre, applauds the investment but English said a phone call is often only the first step.
English said that’s why advocates approached the federal minister after the announcement to say more money is needed for agencies and shelters offering other supports to survivors.
“And so, what we need to see now is a matched commitment to this one in creating more beds, in creating more safe spaces for folks who are experiencing gender-based violence, particularly in the City of Winnipeg,” English said. “We often find our shelter beds are full.”
If beds are full, survivors may be turned away, sent to communities outside Winnipeg or provided with a hotel room.
Ien agrees more support is needed and Wilcox acknowledged the important role other agencies play.
“Not one of us can do this work alone,” she said. “We have to work in partnership and try to provide all of the supports that folks need when they need it.”
While Manitoba was the first to sign, Ien said agreements with other provinces are being worked out.
Members of the Family Violence Consortium of Manitoba said they’ve asked for an additional meeting with the federal minister. English said the minister was receptive and she’s hopeful a meeting will be set up shortly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.