Alberta women’s shelters struggling with ‘stagnant government funding,’ increased demand: report

Alberta saw a large increase in survivors of domestic violence seeking help from the province’s shelters last year, and the number of women turned away grew as well.

That’s according to a new report by the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS).

In 2022 there was a 36 per cent increase in those reaching out for help, but the shelters simply could not accommodate that rise in demand.

“It’s a crushing responsibility to be there answering the phone, and realizing that the shelter doesn’t have space today,” said Jan Reimer, the ACWS’ executive director.

Reimer says it’s not just a lack of space. There’s also a staffing shortage in part due to all-time highs in staff burnout and high turnover rates.

Add to that what the ACWS calls “stagnant government funding,” and it leads to reduced services for those seeking help.

“Shelters continue to do more and more with less and less,” said Reimer. “But when you answer that phone and you have a woman on the other end seeking help, you’re going to help them. But as we are losing expertise in the sector because people can’t continue, that adds to our costs and the challenges of providing the best possible service.”

ACWS asking Alberta for $10.3 million

The ACWS, an organization that supports women’s shelters in Alberta, hasn’t seen a provincial funding increase in eight years. That means most shelter workers haven’t had a pay increase either.

At a time when inflation is rising rapidly, it’s led many to leave the industry. Just last year, nearly half of the staff at Alberta women’s shelters needed to be replaced.

The ACWS is asking for $10.3 million from the province in next week’s budget, which it would spread out over 50 shelters – a total of roughly $200,000 per shelter. The organization says that funding would help manage losses from inflation.

“Addressing a problem that if you don’t address it, costs everyone,” said Reimer.

READ: ACWS Workforce Survey Report

Province not committing to increase 

Tanya Fir, the parliamentary secretary for the status of women, would not commit one way or another on the increase.

“Supporting women and children fleeing domestic violence is a primary focus for our government,” Fir told CityNews in a statement. “We want women to know that when they need help, it will be there. The staff delivering these services are providing a lifeline for so many women and families, and we will always work together in ensuring supports are available.”

Fir says the Alberta government has provided more than $51 million to the province’s women’s shelters in 2022-23.

“As a government we are deeply committed to hearing from those supporting families fleeing violence,” continued the parliamentary secretary’s statement.

“I continue to visit women’s shelters across this province and thank them for the vitally important work they do for women and families in Alberta. I look forward to meeting with the team at ACWS in the near future.”

The call for more funding comes as Reimer says she expects the domestic violence numbers to continue trending upwards.

“We know that after a pandemic, after any kind of natural disaster, you have two, three maybe four years of increases.”