Everyone in Canada has been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, but its impacts on women, girls, and trans and non-binary people in Canada are unique. Providers offering shelter, violence intervention and prevention, poverty reduction support, and other targeted programs are essential to mitigate the gendered impacts of the pandemic. However, the spread of the coronavirus has led to service interruptions, diversions, and closures. 

Eighty-eight per cent of 58 providers surveyed by the Canadian Women’s Foundation are concerned about the pandemic’s impact on their capacity to deliver services. The Government of Canada recently announced $40 million to go toward shelters and sexual assault centres, and the Foundation is one partner to facilitate getting the aid to service providers. But there is more to do to respond to overwhelming pressures on women, girls, and trans and non-binary people. The Canadian Women’s Foundation has launched the nationwide Tireless Together Fund to respond to the daunting new realities. 

Those who wish to contribute can do so online at canadianwomen.org/covid-19. Funds raised are flexible, designed to be used by service providers in every province and territory to meet greatest needs, and ensure programs at risk of closure and interruption can continue.