On March 23, 2023, the Ontario government released its 2023 budget. Below is the YWCA Ontario Coalition’s response. A PDF version of the budget analysis can be found here.A PDF version of the budget analysis can be found here. One of the two themes of this year’s provincial budget, tabled by Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy […]
YWCA Ontario Coalition responds to the 2023 Provincial Budget Read More »
On March 16, the YWCA Ontario coalition sent the following letter to the Solicitor General, Hon. Michael Kerzner, calling on the province to take more meaningful action in response to the Renfrew County Inquest recommendations. A PDF of this letter can be found here. The Honorable Michael Kerzner Ministry of the Solicitor General George Drew
YWCA Ontario calls for meaningful action on Renfrew County Inquest Recommendations Read More »
It’s International Women’s Day around the globe and, given this day’s history of being rooted in the women’s labour movement, what better way to celebrate it than by celebrating YWCA’s work in breaking down gendered barriers in male-dominated fields? Since 2021, YWCA Cambridge and other YWCAs from across Ontario have operated Uplift, an upskilling and
BREAKING DOWN GENDERED BARRIERS IN MALE-DOMINATED FIELDS Read More »
What we are seeing on the frontlines is that poverty, gender-based violence, mental health crises and general hardship continue to deepen. There are not enough Violence Against Women (VAW) and homeless shelter beds to meet demand, nor is there an adequate supply of affordable, supportive housing. The pandemic and rising inflation have made life more difficult for our program participants – and for us to deliver essential services.
Ontario Budget 2023: YWCA Ontario Pre-Budget Submission Read More »
The YWCA Ontario coalition sent the following letter to Premier Doug Ford and Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. PDF version here. The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario By email: premier@ontario.ca The Hon. Minister of Education Stephen LecceOntario Ministry of EducationToronto, OntarioBy email: minister.edu@ontario.ca Re: The Child Care Sector is in Crisis and You Can
YWCA Ontario to Minister Lecce: The Child Care Sector is in Crisis and You Can Fix it Read More »
June 6, 2022
On June 2, Ontario’s Progressive Conservatives gained a second consecutive majority government. The New Democratic Party (NDP) remains the Official Opposition with 31 seats. Neither the Liberal Party, who gained eight seats, nor the Green Party, who won one seat, reached official party status by winning at least 12 seats.
YWCA Ontario saw this election as an opportunity for all parties to commit to a feminist agenda. We congratulate the government on its victory. However, we are concerned over the lack of progress on gender equality and the reduction of poverty. When first elected in 2018, the government dissolved the roundtable on violence against women and more recently, the Premier did not attend the first-ever party leaders debate on women’s issues in Ontario. The 2022 provincial budget, which served as the party’s platform, mentioned women only eight times, countering our calls for an intersectional, gender-responsive budget and a plan to prioritize women, girls and gender diverse people this election.
The most jarring aspect of this election is the incredibly low voter turnout. With such a low percentage of eligible voters casting a ballot in Ontario, no matter the outcome, the lack of participation undermines the effectiveness of our democracy. It is disconcerting to see such little engagement at the polls.
YWCA Ontario is committed to advancing gender and racial equity and poverty reduction. Across the province, our Member Associations provide programs to women, girls and gender diverse people, including support for women fleeing violence; a range of safe, affordable and supportive housing options; gender-focused employment and training programs; girls’, youth and child care programs, and so much more. These community services will be more important than ever as we work to recover from more than two years of a pandemic that has deepened inequities and created new hardships for women in Ontario, particularly Indigenous, racialized, queer, trans and newcomer women.
As the cost of living mounts, and many social services remain underfunded and struggling to recover from the pandemic, Ontarians are facing sizable challenges. Now is the time for action.
Moving forward, we need the support of the newly elected government to ensure the rights, economic wellbeing, and safety of all women. Ontarians need decent work and decent pay provisions for all workers, particularly child care workers, increased social assistance rates, deeply affordable housing, and a province wide-strategy to eliminate gender-based violence. YWCA Ontario is committed to working with the Government to meaningfully advance these issues.
YWCA Ontario’s Statement on the 2022 Provincial Election Results Read More »
The coalition of YWCAs across Ontario has launched a provincial election campaign to urge political leaders and party candidates to “choose gender equity” this provincial election. “We know lockdowns and other public health measures hurt women the most – particularly Black, Indigenous and racialized women and gender diverse people, and those with disabilities,” said YWCA
YWCA Ontario Campaign Urges Political Candidates to “Choose Gender Equity” This Election Read More »
Monday’s announcement was a historic one. However, since the federal government announced its plan to roll out bilateral childcare agreements with each province and territory, advocates have been loud and clear –a $25/hr base wage and 10 paid sick days are required to repair and build up the child care sector in Ontario.
Ontario’s Child Care Deal: What we know, what we don’t and what worries us Read More »
These acts of violence are happening within our communities and throughout this Region. We can all say that “hate doesn’t belong here,” but it’s important that we also recognize that it IS here and that our neighbours who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, those who are trans, 2SLGBTQ+ and those who have disabilities are experiencing it and are far more likely to encounter it in their daily lives simply by existing. That is why the anti-racism work that community leaders like Selam Debs provide is essential and we must condemn those who, through threats of violence and abusive language, try to silence it.
Statement in Response to the Racist and Sexist Attacks on Community Leader, Selam Debs Read More »
Below are remarks made by YWCA Cambridge CEO, Kim Decker at Cambridge City Council’s budget meeting on December 2. PDF version HERE Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. I know that, at this point, you’re all well versed in what period poverty is, how expensive it is to be a menstruator,
