BC Coalition of Women's Centres



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Media Advisory
For immediate release
February 10, 2004
 
 
Women’s Centres Call on Ida Chong for Emergency Funding

BC- The BC Coalition of Women’s Centre has written to Minister Ida Chong for emergency funding to prevent the closure of women’s centres across the province.  All 37 Centres have had their only core funding cut by 100% effective March 31st, 2004. 

Ida Chong has already gone on record as saying funding will not be restored to women’s centres but instead will go to counselling and shelter programs.  This is unacceptable, short-sighted and irresponsible.  Women’s Centres are often a women’s first contact for referral to other services in the community. Many women who access women’s centres  need more   than counselling and shelter or need other services altogether.  This decision will do nothing but fragment services and leave thousands of women abandoned.

The BC Coalition has asked for a meeting with  Minister Ida Chong, to date this request has been ignored.

Previous reductions in Gaming Funding and other provincial cuts combined with the elimination of core funding,  have forced Women’s Centres to begin the process of closing their doors.  The majority of Centres have cut essential staff and /or programs and are bracing for closure.

Centres will close without  provincial government funding.

Women’s Centres provide a range of services to hundreds of thousands of women each year. In some communities, Women’s Centres are the only service available to women.

Women’s Centres provide a critical role in BC and are the lifeline for thousands of women.

The  BC Coalition of Women’s Centres is asking for the support of British Columbians in calling on Ida Chong and the BC Liberals to continue funding  the 37 Women’s Centres in this province.  To join the fight please go to www.bcwomen.cjb.net or www.SaveWomensCentres.ca
 


If you have questions/comments for BCCWC, please e-mail us at bcwomen@telus.net  For other contact information, please go to our Information Page

BC Coalition of Women's Centres British Columbia, Canada
100 Mile House • Campbell River • Chetwynd • Comox Valley • Cranbrook • Fernie • Fort Nelson • Fort St. John • Golden • Grand Forks • Howe Sound • Kamloops • Kelowna • Kitimat • North Shore • Penticton • Port Coquitlam • Queen Charlotte Islands • Quesnel • Richmond • Ridge Meadows • Sunshine Coast • South Surrey/White Rock • Surrey • Terrace •  Vancouver • Vernon • Westcoast • West Kootenay • Williams Lake

This page last updated:  June 08, 2004
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