An investment of $6.9 million by the Province of Ontario will expand the Investment in Women's Futures program by adding 10 new centers.

The Government of Ontario is expanding the Investment in Women's Futures program by adding ten other centers across the province to create more economic opportunities for women.

This expansion is part of a three-year $6.9 million investment to improve the program and help more women who face social and economic barriers to get the support and skills they need to increase their financial security and independence.

For her part, Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Social and Economic Opportunity for Women, said: “Adding these ten centers to the Investment in Women's Futures program will help more women economically empower themselves and live safely with a greater sense of well-being. The Investment in Women's Futures program also helps women achieve success through good-paying jobs or further education and helps strengthen Ontario’s economy.”

The Investment in Women's Futures program offers a range of flexible services for employment readiness and support for women facing social and economic barriers, including survivors of gender-based violence and social isolation. These services and supports help women overcome barriers, improve well-being, acquire skills, and find work. By adding 10 new centers, the total number of service points rises to 33 centers, allowing a greater number of women in the province to easily access them.

The ten new centers for Investment in Women's Futures are:

Huronia Transition Homes in MidlandCommunity Resource Center (Killaloe) Inc. in KillaloeKeepers of the Circle in Kirkland LakeAchēv in Mississauga

Resolve Counselling Services Canada in Kingston

Women’s Centre of York Region in NewmarketRoots

Community Services Inc. in Brampton and Mississauga

Up with Women in Toronto

Women’s Multicultural Resource & Counselling Centre of Durham in Pickering

Counselling Centre of East Algoma in Elliot Lake.

In this regard, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said: “As a father, I want to build a province where access to careers is within reach for all girls, without barriers. We all need to build a strong province. This investment in expanding the Women's Futures program will help more women access the training and support they need, start their own businesses, and find meaningful jobs, so they can increase their income while inspiring the next generation of young girls.”

This $6.9 million investment adds to the planned $18 million for the 2022-2025 period to support investment in the Women’s Futures program and the Women’s Economic Security program.