OTTAWA — The federal government has committed to funding the construction and operations of shelters for Inuit women and children across Inuit Nunangat in northern Canada as well as in urban centres.
Funding for the new shelters will be part of the Government of Canada’s $724.1 million for a comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy as announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement.
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, as part of its 2020 annual general meeting, called for the construction of five new emergency shelters, one in each of the four regions of Inuit Nunangat and one in Ottawa, which has the largest population of urban Inuit in Canada.
Indigenous Services Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will work with Pauktuutit and other Inuit partners to determine the locations and define the details of the projects, indicates a release.
“Today’s announcement is what concrete action toward meaningful reconciliation with Inuit women looks like,” said Rebecca Kudloo, president of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, in a statement. “Last year, Pauktuutit met with federal cabinet ministers and told them our highest priority was funding for five emergency shelters for women and children. They listened to us and today the federal government has delivered. Pauktuutit looks forward to working with our Inuit Nunangat partners, as well as Inuit organizations in Ottawa to co-develop the applications for these new shelters which are urgently needed and will save lives.”
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