Alberta funds gender-based violence groups in southern Alberta

Alberta is giving $2.5 million to 36 community organizations across the province, including four in southern Alberta, to help people affected by gender-based violence access legal supports and safety services, the government said in a news release on Friday.

The money flows through the Community Pathways to Justice grant for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Individual grants range from $15,000 to $150,000. Services to be funded include crisis intervention, safety planning, justice-system navigation and restorative justice programming.

The four southern Alberta recipients are Cochrane Women's Emergency Shelter Society operating as Big Hill Haven, Taber Safe Haven Women's Shelter Society, True North Society and Mountain View Emergency Shelter Society. Seven organizations in central Alberta and 14 in Calgary also received grants, along with seven in Edmonton and four in northern Alberta.

"Our government is proud to support community organizations that understand the unique needs of the people they serve, and the barriers victims can face when seeking help," the release said. "This year's grant funding will strengthen front-line supports, helping Albertans understand their options, access the services they need and navigate the justice system with greater confidence."

Parkland Turning Points Society, one of the central Alberta recipients, said the funding would sustain free domestic violence counselling for people regardless of their ability to pay. "Seeking help takes tremendous courage, and Parkland Turning Points Society is committed to ensuring individuals and families have access to free domestic violence counselling, regardless of their ability to pay," the organization said in the release. "This funding will help us continue supporting people as they take the first step toward healing, hope and a safer future."

Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, a Calgary-based recipient, said the grant would allow it to keep providing victim services — including justice-system navigation — to young girls and gender-diverse children and youth who have experienced abuse.

A federal representative quoted in the release said Ottawa is contributing through its National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. "The federal government is proud to work with Alberta, Indigenous partners and community organizations to strengthen those supports and help build communities where people can live safely and free from violence," the release said.

The Community Pathways to Justice grant is part of Alberta's 10-year Strategy to End Gender-Based Violence. Applications for this round were accepted from June 2 to 23.