TorontoThe Ontario government says it will spend just over $26 million over the next two years to support survivors of gender-based violence, but some non-shelter services say without more support, families could fall through the cracks.$26.7M in funding will focus on shelter and family court support services, says provinceOskar McCarson · CBC News · Posted: Nov 03, 2025 8:56 PM EST | Last Updated: November 4Listen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe funding announcement comes at the start of Canada’s domestic violence awareness month, and the launch of YRCCS’s fundraising campaign, Invest in Hope. (CGN089/Shutterstock)The Ontario government says it will spend just over $26 million over the next two years to support survivors of gender-based violence, but some non-shelter services say without more support, families could fall through the cracks.Aurora, a pseudonym to protect her identity, says she was almost one of those people before she discovered the York Region Centre for Community Safety (YRCCS). “They told me that I’m not the one who should be blamed for this situation … they taught me how to love and care for myself again,” said Aurora.According to executive director Jaspreet Gill, YRCCS helped connect over 800 people and 1,200 of their children with intimate-partner violence resources such as shelters, legal support, and food banks last year.From legal assistance when her husband was trying to pursue legal action, to career coaching to help her provide for her family, Aurora credits the services offered by YRCCS as key in escaping her abusive marriage.Aurora, seen with her face obscured to protect her identity, is one of the many people who have received help from YRCCS. (York Region Centre for Community Saftey)Ontario’s investment includes funding for 300 shelter sites across the province as well as strengthening the family court support worker program, but Gill says non-shelter services are left out, leaving families at risk.“Agencies like ours, that have been around for 13 years, are playing this funding puzzle game when our focus should firmly be on survivors, advocacy, and improving service access,” said Gill.Government funding for YRCCS will be decreasing to just six per cent of its budget next fiscal year, down from 35 per cent this current year, according to Gill. She also said that the funding is often project-specific, and doesn’t assist with overall operating costs. Funding comes at start of awareness monthIn a statement to CBC Toronto, the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services says the province is funding various non-shelter services across the province as part of Ontario’s Action Plan.Asked about the plans for services like YRCCS, the ministry did not provide a specific answer.WATCH | How the housing shortage hurts domestic violence survivors:How a housing shortage makes it hard for domestic violence survivors to find safe shelterHarmy Mendoza, executive director of WomanAct says challenges with finding safe and affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence is putting more pressure on shelter systems and are forcing women to resort to precarious living arrangements. According to Gill, funding like this is an important step, but services like YRCCS that assist victims who don’t know what options they have also need support.“I understand it (the funding) has a very specific focus … It leaves out gender-based violence hubs like YRCCS that exist in Ontario that are also fighting to continue to stay open and serve survivors in their community,” said GillThe funding announcement comes at the start of Canada’s domestic violence awareness month, and the launch of YRCCS’s fundraising campaign, Invest in Hope.The campaign calls on the government to provide more sustainable and operational, funding for services such as YRCCS, and for community members to help fill funding gaps, according to a Monday news release. “This isn’t just an investment in a program, or a project. It’s an investment in families, and safety, in our communities,” said Christina Dawson, YRCCS staff superintendent.ABOUT THE AUTHOROskar McCarson is a Toronto-based journalist currently working as a web writer at CBC Toronto.With files from Mercedes Gaztambide
Ontario’s funding for gender-based violence victims welcome, but some non-shelter services feel left out
