The money will flow over two years for shelter spaces and to strengthen the province’s family court support worker program.
“Our government is taking action to end gender-based violence in Ontario by investing in community partners and strengthening local services,” said Michael Parsa, Ontario’s minister of children, community and social services. “This investment will help frontline agencies across the province provide survivors with a safe place to heal and rebuild their lives.”
The investment will support capacity at over 65 emergency shelters across the province, including those serving rural, remote and northern communities and Indigenous-led shelters, to ensure space is available where and when it’s needed. New funding includes $8.25 million in 2025-26 and increases to $15.7 million in 2026-27 to provide annualized support for more than 300 shelter spaces across Ontario.
The government is also investing an additional $2.7 million annually beginning this year in the family court support worker program. Court support workers help survivors of gender-based violence understand the court process, prepare for proceedings, access referrals to specialized services and supports in the community, and accompany victims to court proceedings.
“Women need to feel safe and supported in their communities in order to reach their full potential,” said Charmaine Williams, Ontario’s associate minister of women’s social and economic opportunity. “By strengthening community-based services, our government is helping to prevent violence and support women to succeed everywhere — at home, at work, and in their communities.”
According to the province, emergency women’s shelters in Ontario served an average of 12,000 women and dependents each year over the past five years.
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