News & Press Releases

Grand Opening of First WSC-Supported Second Stage Transitional Housing

November 27, 2024

Ottawa, 27 November 2024 – Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will officially open the first Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC)-supported second stage transitional housing (SSTH) new build. Located in Sussex, New […]

New National Report Shows Effect of Housing Crisis on Women and Children Fleeing Violence

November 25, 2024

Ottawa, 25 November 2024 – Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) released Shelter Voices 2024: Crisis Within Crisis. This issue of Shelter Voices, funded by The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, was designed […]

Introducing the New Executive Director of Women’s Shelters Canada

July 11, 2024

July 11, 2024 – Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is pleased to announce that our new Executive Director is Anuradha Dugal. Anuradha is a powerhouse in the gender-based violence sector […]

WSC Releases Two Reports Showing Prevalence of Tech-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence

June 5, 2024

5 June 2024 – Today, Women’s Shelters Canada’s (WSC) Tech Safety Canada Project released two reports on the impact and prevalence of tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). Across Canada, technology […]

Joint Open Letter to Canadian Banks

May 7, 2024

7 May 2024 – Today, Women’s Shelters Canada issued an open letter with the Canadian Center for Women’s Empowerment to Canadian banks: Recent events have highlighted the pressing issue […]

Women’s Shelters Canada launches Crickets, a collective initiative to call out online sexism

March 8, 2024

Nearly 4 out of 5 men in Canada are not always comfortable confronting sexist comments and jokes on social media Montreal, Friday, March 8, 2024 – Women’s Shelters Canada, […]

Feminist Brain Drain Final Report Launches

March 7, 2024

Today, Women’s Shelters Canada released a new report examining the violence against women (VAW) shelter and transition house sector in Canada. The report, Feminist Brain Drain: Labour Issues and […]

Canadian Feminist Organizations Respond to Anti-Trans Comments: Anti-Trans is Anti-Women

February 22, 2024

On February 21st, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre shared his support for banning transgender women from women’s spaces, services, and shelters. Feminist and women-serving organizations recognize that any attack […]

WSC’s Executive Director Lise Martin Retiring in Spring 2024

December 5, 2023

Dear colleagues and friends, I am writing to share what is, for me, HUGE news. I will be retiring at the end of April 2024. It has been an […]

Feminist Organizations Joint Appeal for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

November 17, 2023

17 November 2023 Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 Subject: Feminist Organizations Joint Appeal for […]

Reflections on the First Year of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

November 9, 2023

9 November 2023 – The National Action Plan (NAP) to End Gender-based Violence (GBV) was launched on November 9, 2022 by Women and Gender Equality Canada. On the one-year […]

Coalition of Gender-Based Violence Organizations Welcomes Mass Casualty Commission’s Final Report

March 31, 2023

Ottawa, 31 March 2023 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC), the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) and Be the Peace Institute (BTPI) are pleased that the Mass Casualty Commission’s […]

Women’s Shelters Canada’s Statement on Federal Budget 2023

March 30, 2023

30 March 2023 – Although we have had limited time to review the budget given our work with the Shockproofing Communities Summit this week, it appears as though reference […]

Launching Techsafety.ca on International Women’s Day

March 7, 2023

Today on International Women’s Day 2023, Women’s Shelters Canada’s Tech Safety Canada Project is launching its website, www.techsafety.ca! Tech Safety Canada equips shelter and transition house workers with the […]

Joint Statement in solidarity with Indigenous families mourning the murder of four Indigenous women

December 6, 2022

6 December 2022 – As we observe the 16 Days of Activism on Gender-Based Violence and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the announcement […]

Joint Statement on the Release of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence

November 24, 2022

24 November 2022 – As advocates who developed a Roadmap for the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence, we have been anxiously waiting for the release of this 10-year […]

Initial Reaction to the Joint Declaration and Framework for Action on Gender-Based Violence

November 9, 2022

9 November 2022 – Today, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments recognized the importance of the issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against women (VAW). We appreciate that […]

Joint Statement on the Effects of the “Freedom Convoy” on Women and Children Fleeing Violence

February 8, 2022

February 8, 2022 Women’s Shelters Canada and partner provincial and territorial association members condemn the blatant acts of violence, misogyny, and white supremacy demonstrated in Ottawa, Winnipeg, Quebec City, […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Receives Generous $2 Million Grant from The Slaight Family Foundation

February 8, 2022 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to be the recipient of a generous $2 million grant from the Slaight Family Foundation to provide capacity to facilitate […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Launches “More Than” National Awareness Campaign

January 24, 2022

Ottawa, January 24, 2022 – Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is launching a new national awareness campaign illustrating how violence against women (VAW) shelters and transition houses are “More […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes $300,000 Donation from Shoppers Drug Mart

November 24, 2021

Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to be the recipient of a generous $300,000 donation from Shoppers Drug Mart Inc. to support violence against women (VAW) shelters and transition […]

WSC Calls on all Federal Parties to Commit to a National Action Plan on VAW and GBV

August 18, 2021

August 18 2021 WSC calls on all federal parties to address the alarming levels of gender-based violence in Canada by firmly committing to the development and implementation of a […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes Renewed Opportunity to Distribute Federal Funds to VAW Shelters Across the Country

August 6, 2021

Ottawa, 6 August 2021 Today, the Hon. Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), announced that Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) will be distributing $81.5 million of federal […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes its Largest-Ever Donation of Face Masks and Filters from Vistaprint

June 29, 2021

Ottawa, 29 June 2021 Women’s Shelters Canada is thrilled to accept the donation of more than 13,000 face masks and filters from Vistaprint and coordinate distribution to women’s shelters […]

Expert Report Launched Today Provides Roadmap to Ending Gender-Based Violence in Canada

June 22, 2021

Ottawa, June 22 2021 The latest report from Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) provides governments with the definitive answer to the question: What will it take to end gender-based violence […]

Women’s Shelters Canada is currently recruiting Public Directors for its Board

May 28, 2021

Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is currently accepting expressions of interest for Public Directors on its Board of Directors. WSC welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to work from […]

Organizations Against Gender-Based Violence Welcome Opportunity to Participate in the Mass Casualty Commission

May 14, 2021

Ottawa, 14 May 2021 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC), the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia (THANS) and Be the Peace Institute (BTPI) are pleased to be participating, in coalition, […]

Anti-Violence Advocates Applaud First-Ever Significant Investment in a National Action Plan: Federal Budget

April 20, 2021

Ottawa, 20 April 2021 Women’s Shelters Canada applauds the federal government for making gender-based violence (GBV) a central consideration in Budget 2021. The budget makes an overall investment of […]

Answering the Call for a National Action Plan

March 3, 2021

Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to announce that it has just embarked on a historic project that will inform the framework and initial content of Canada’s 10-year National […]

New National Report Shows Increase in Frequency and Severity of Domestic Violence During COVID-19

November 25, 2020

Ottawa, 25 November 2020 Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) released Shelter Voices 2020: The Impact of COVID-19 on VAW Shelters and Transition Houses. A majority of violence against women […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Receives Historic $4.5 Million Donation from the Rogers Family

June 15, 2020

Ottawa, 15 June 2020 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is thrilled to be the recipient of a generous $4.5 million donation from the Rogers family to improve the lives of […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes Appeal Regarding Extreme Intoxication

June 12, 2020

Like many women and women’s organizations across Canada, Women’s Shelters Canada was appalled by the Ontario Court of Appeal’s ruling last week that extreme intoxication resulting in automatism can […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Stands with Black Lives Matter

June 11, 2020

Women’s Shelters Canada stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and with all Black, Indigenous, and other People of Colour in Canada and around the world. As a settler […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Calls for Action after NS Shooter’s Former Neighbour’s Statement

May 14, 2020

Ottawa, 14 May 2020 Women’s Shelters Canada is outraged that women’s lives and the issue of violence against women continue to be minimized. The result is multiple systemic failures. As […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Calls on Authorities to Acknowledge Gendered Aspect of Nova Scotia Mass Shooting

April 23, 2020

Ottawa, 23 April 2020 Women’s Shelters Canada is asking for the RCMP and the federal government to acknowledge the gendered aspect of this weekend’s mass shooting in Nova Scotia. […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes Opportunity to Distribute Federal Funds to VAW Shelters Across the Country

April 4, 2020

Ottawa, 4 April 2020 Today, the Hon. Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, announced that Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) will be distributing federal funds across the country […]

New National Report on Second Stage Shelters for Women Fleeing Violence Shows Inadequate Funding

September 25, 2019

Ottawa, 25 September 2019 Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) released “Transitioning to a Life Free from Violence: Second Stage Shelters in Canada.” This new report illustrates the important work […]

As Father’s Day nears, men across Canada are making a positive difference in the lives of women and children

June 11, 2019

Toronto, 11 June 2019 A group called Strengthening Ties is working towards an impressive and important goal just in time for Father’s Day. Strengthening Ties is calling on men to honour the women and […]

New National Report Finds that Violence Against Women Shelters Are Doing More with Less

May 1, 2019

Ottawa, 1 May 2019 Today, Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) released “More Than a Bed: A National Profile of Violence Against Women (VAW) Shelters and Transition Houses.” This report gives […]

Sheltersafe.ca Launches New and Improved Search Features for Women and Children Escaping Violence

December 6, 2018

Ottawa, 6 December 2018 Today, on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (VAW), Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) has launched new and improved search features […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Releases Report Documenting Gaps in Domestic Violence Policies, Legislation, and Services Across Canada

September 25, 2018

Ottawa, 25 September 2018 Today, during Canada’s first Gender Equality Week, Women’s Shelters Canada is releasing the report Building a National Narrative: A Select Review of Domestic Violence Policies, Legislation, and […]

Introducing Three New Members of the WSC Board

July 5, 2018

Women’s Shelters Canada is thrilled to announce our three new Board members: Claudette Dumont-Smith, Saadia Muzaffar, and Beverley Wybrow! Claudette Dumont-Smith Claudette Dumont-Smith has been actively involved in the field of […]

Launch of Shelter Voices 2018

July 3, 2018

We are please to announce the release of Shelter Voices 2018, the fifth national survey of transition houses and shelters serving women and children affected by violence against women and […]

Canada’s First National Shelter Conference for Women Fleeing Violence

June 8, 2018

Ottawa, 8 June 2018 WHO: Women’s Shelters Canada To mark our five-year anniversary as a national unified voice on the issue of violence against women (VAW), we are holding […]

National Conference Registration

February 7, 2018

Registration is open! Register now to attend Women’s Shelters Canada’s first national conference in June 2018 in Ottawa – Shelters of the Future: A National Conversation. Bringing together 600 […]

New Resource to Commemorate December 6

December 6, 2017

Today is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We remember the victims of the École Polytechnique massacre as we work for systemic change to […]

New logo launched!

November 24, 2017

In anticipation of the start of the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women tomorrow, we are launching our new logo! This logo communicates not only that […]

National Housing Strategy Recognizes Needs of Most Vulnerable Women

November 23, 2017

Ottawa, 23 November 2017 – Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) welcomes the government’s announcement of the National Housing Strategy that commits to at least 25% of investments to support projects […]

Survey – Developing a National Profile of Women’s Shelters

September 19, 2017

Ottawa, 19 September 2017 Women’s Shelters Canada has launched a national survey on women’s shelters and transition houses (THs) to strengthen the women’s shelter sector in Canada. The survey […]

Women’s Shelters Canada Calls for Reinstatement of Shelter Enhancement Program

September 14, 2017

Women’s Shelters Canada, along with our member provincial and territorial shelter associations, is calling on the Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, to reinstate the […]

Recommendations on the National Housing Strategy

August 11, 2017

Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) has developed 11 recommendations and an open letter to inform the National Housing Strategy (NHS), which we hope will lead to comprehensive policies and funding opportunities to […]

A step in the right direction – The beginnings of a more coordinated approach to addressing violence against women

June 19, 2017

Ottawa, 19 June 2017 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) welcomes the release of the federal government’s strategy to address gender-based violence. It is recognition of the problem and how it […]

Launch of Shelter Voices 2017

June 14, 2017

We are pleased to announce the release of Shelter Voices 2017, the fourth national survey of transition houses and shelters serving women and children affected by violence against women and […]

New Resources for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week

May 31, 2017

This week for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week (28 May – 3 June 2017), Women’s Shelters Canada is highlighting the diverse services that women’s shelters and transition houses […]

Budget 2017 – Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes News of a National Strategy to Address Gender-Based Violence

March 23, 2017

Ottawa, March 23 2017 Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is pleased to see that the federal government will be pursuing a national strategy to address gender-based violence. The organization […]

Introducing Women’s Shelters Canada

March 8, 2017

We’ve got a new name! Here at the Network, big changes are underway. We’re re-branding with a sleeker, simpler name along with a new, modern logo. We will be […]

Funding announced for the project Shelters of the Future: Key to preventing and ending violence against women

November 24, 2016

New funding will strengthen services for survivors of gender-based violence Minister Hajdu launches the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence by announcing support for women’s shelters November 24, […]

Family Violence Does Not Happen in a Vacuum – New Report Fails to Contextualise the Violence within our Society where Gender Inequality Remains Prevalent

October 24, 2016

Family Violence Does Not Happen in a Vacuum – New Report Fails to Contextualise the Violence within our Society where Gender Inequality Remains Prevalent Ottawa, October 21, 2016 The […]

Sheltersafe.ca First Anniversary and New Video

June 8, 2016

Ottawa, 8 June 2016 This month Sheltersafe.ca is celebrating its first birthday! One year after its launch in June 2015, Sheltersafe.ca has grown to include close to 90% of […]

Shelter Voices 2016 – Annual survey of a day in the life of Canadian women’s shelters shows increasing complexity of need

April 28, 2016

Shelter Voices 2016 Annual survey of a day in the life of Canadian women’s shelters shows increasing complexity of need. April 28/ Ottawa – The Canadian Network of Women’s […]