A recent survey reveals that more than 60% of shelters in Canada are operating beyond their funded capacities at least once a month, highlighting a significant crisis in support for victims of gender-based violence. Three years after the federal government initiated a national action plan aimed at eradicating such violence, emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities are grappling with staffing shortages, aging infrastructure, and increasing demand, all while facing severe funding limitations.
Alarming Findings from Women’s Shelters Canada
The findings were released in a report by Women’s Shelters Canada, which analysed data from 317 shelters across the nation between March and July last year. The report indicates that both emergency and second-stage shelters are regularly exceeding their operational limits. In light of the ongoing national housing crisis, shelters are also experiencing longer stays, meaning individuals in need are often turned away, increasing the risk of returning to abusive environments.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, over 60,000 individuals, primarily women and children, sought refuge in approximately 560 emergency and second-stage shelters throughout Canada, according to Statistics Canada’s latest report. This escalating demand underscores the critical role these facilities play in their communities, yet they remain chronically underfunded.
Underfunded and Overextended: The Reality for Shelters
Robyn Hoogendam, research and policy manager for Women’s Shelters Canada and co-author of the report, expressed concern over the persistent underfunding of anti-violence organisations. More than half of the surveyed shelters reported that they could not cover their operational costs without relying on fundraising efforts, while 10% stated they could not meet these costs even with additional financial support. Alarmingly, nearly a quarter of the organisations indicated that they had to reduce their programmes in the past year.
The strain on resources is palpable. Hoogendam recounted conversations with shelter directors who are frequently interrupted by urgent crisis calls, illustrating the multifaceted roles that staff members must adopt—serving as cooks, childcare providers, and crisis counsellors, all while managing a growing number of complex cases among clients.
The Growing Complexity of Client Needs
Frontline workers are encountering increasingly complicated situations as clients arrive with diverse needs, including substance use issues, mental health challenges, and caregiving responsibilities for children or elderly relatives. This complexity has led to heightened rates of burnout and turnover among shelter staff.
Despite discussions with the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality, Hoogendam expressed uncertainty regarding the future of the National Action Plan, which is set to end its first funding phase in March 2027. “While the government focuses on economic matters, we must not overlook the substantial costs associated with violence,” she urged.
The economic impact of spousal violence in Canada was estimated at a staggering £7.4 billion in 2009, the last year for which comprehensive data was available. Tragically, statistics reveal that approximately one woman is killed by an intimate partner every week in Canada, with 2025 marking the loss of 147 women and girls to femicide.
The Future of the National Action Plan
When the National Action Plan to combat gender-based violence was introduced in 2023, the federal government allocated $525 million over four years. The initiative was designed to ensure that individuals facing such violence could access timely protection and services, regardless of their location. However, as the initial phase nears its conclusion, those working on the ground assert that the effectiveness of the plan is hindered by geographic disparities in support.
Remote, rural, and Indigenous communities are particularly underserved, leaving many vulnerable individuals without adequate resources. In response to inquiries about the future of funding, Erin Quevillon, press secretary for Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez, stated that federal investments are intended to bolster, rather than replace, provincial and local funding.
Community Support: A Double-Edged Sword
At the Victoria Women’s Transition House, preparations for a vital annual gala are underway. Executive director Bahar Dehnadi highlighted the reliance on community support to cover 44% of the organisation’s annual budget of approximately £8 million. “We are exceptionally fortunate to have such a supportive community, but this reliance on fundraising is a constant struggle,” she remarked.
Dehnadi highlighted that insufficient, inconsistent support for the sector prevents them from adequately addressing the growing demand, forcing many women to remain with or return to their abusers. The typical 30-day stay at their emergency facility, equipped with only 18 beds, is unrealistic in the context of the current housing crisis.
The recent opening of a new 50-unit second-stage housing facility quickly filled up, only for the backlog of women needing safe, affordable accommodation to persist. “It’s disheartening to witness women cycling back to dangerous situations,” Dehnadi lamented.
Why it Matters
The escalating challenges faced by shelters in Canada reflect a deeper societal issue surrounding gender-based violence. As funding and resources dwindle, the safety and well-being of countless individuals hang in the balance. Without a robust and sustained commitment to support these vital services, the cycle of violence may only continue, leaving vulnerable populations without the refuge they desperately need. The need for comprehensive and equitable solutions to this crisis is urgent; the very fabric of community safety depends on it.
