December 12th, 2018

NDP: Ford government must ensure immediate funding for Anova Counselling and Support Centre

Ford’s cuts will cause the London-based agency that supports gender-based violence survivors to lose a vital counselling position

London NDP MPPs Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe), Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre) and Peggy Sattler (London West) have written an open letter to Ford government Ministers Mulroney and MacLeod, calling for them to immediately ensure funding for a vital counselling position at Anova Counselling and Support Centre, a London-based agency that supports survivors of gender-based violence.
“Last week Anova announced that the full-time position at its walk-in Counselling and Support Centre will not be renewed as of Friday, Dec. 21, because of lack of government funding,” they wrote in an open letter on Wednesday morning. “This program was created four years ago to address demand for support and information about abuse and its impact, as well as risk assessment and safety planning. Last year, 817 clients were assisted through the program, and almost as many in 2018.
“The loss of the Counselling and Support Centre position is creating a real threat to the safety of women and children in our community, at a time of increasing need.”