From WomenACT and Chanterelle Alliance:
It’s official — Election Day is April 28, 2025, and over the next few weeks, Canadian voters will be heading to the polls to elect Members of Parliament and decide which party will form the next Canadian government.
On Sunday, March 23rd, 2025, a federal snap election was officially called, with Canadians set to go to the polls on April 28, 2025. Since the announcement, all official political parties have begun outlining their policy priorities. This follows the dissolution of the dedicated Ministry for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), with its portfolio shifted under the Ministry of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada, and the Quebec Lieutenant.
The policies implemented by the next federal government will have far-reaching impacts on economic and social justice. These most often impact those who are already vulnerable, including those in poverty, women and gender-diverse people, Indigenous, and racialized people. Canada needs strong federal leadership and coordination across all levels of government to ensure sustained investments in gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, affordable housing, and comprehensive data collection. Evidence-based, survivor-centered policies and programs are essential to providing safety options for survivors and fostering economic empowerment.
WomanACT remains steadfast in our vision: a world where all women and gender-diverse people live free from violence and have economic security. We firmly believe that women’s full participation in policymaking, national action plans, and the workforce is essential to strengthening Canada’s economic and social outcomes. Gender equality is the foundation of a strong economy and a more resilient Canadian society.
According to Statistics Canada, between 2018 and 2023, police-reported rates of Family Violence (FV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) rose alarmingly—17% and 13%, respectively. In 2023 alone, nearly 4 in 5 IPV victims (78%) and over 6 in 10 FV victims (68%) were women and girls. Family violence against seniors (65+) also reached an all-time high, with nearly 6 in 10 victims (57%) being women. With one woman or girl killed every 48 hours in Canada, it is critical that the next federal government upholds its commitment to ending gender-based violence.
As part of our election advocacy, WomanACT will engage in non-partisan education on evidence-based policy recommendations and share our priorities with all political parties and candidates. These priorities include:
- Investment in affordable and safe housing options for women and gender-diverse people.
- Strengthen systems collaboration focused on prevention, particularly for Indigenous and rural communities.
- Enhancing investments into the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence
We will continue to push for feminist policies and sustained investments in women’s safety, security, and economic empowerment because Canada’s future depends on it. We encourage you all to join us in making gender equity a priority this election. Stay informed, ask questions, engage in discussions, and participate in the democratic process.
More resources can be found here:
- Check to ensure you are registered to vote and learn other key dates and voter information ahead of April 28th
- Demand Better Today is an upcoming campaign from Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights powered by women’s rights organizations from across the country. Sign up to their email to get notified when the campaign is live!
- Your Vote Matters! is toolkit created by National Association of Women and the Law to ensure that voters have the information they need in order to cast their ballot in the election
- Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada has created an election toolkit to help understands what his federal election means for abortion rights and access in Canada
- Egale Canada has launched Vote with Pride ahead of the upcoming federal election. Vote with Pride aims to increase awareness about the ways in which election issues are 2SLGBTQI issues.
- The Basic Income Youth Collective is calling on everyone to vote for a future that is economically just. Check out resources and information on their campaign page that encourages folks to be informed about where candidates and parties truly stand on essential income supports
WomanACT works collaboratively to eradicate gender-based violence through research, education and advocacy. We work to create a world where individuals and systems are primed to address gender-based violence, and survivors get the support they need from anyone, anywhere, at any time. Our partners include academics, survivors, government, gender-based violence organizations, and many more.
The Chanterelle Alliance for Feminist Law Reform was established in 2022, with funding from Women and Gender Equality Canada by the National Association of Women and the Law and Luke’s Place, to help coordinate feminist organizations in advancing a robust, proactive feminist law reform agenda in Canada. Knowing that we are stronger together, The Chanterelle Alliance will foster new collaborations, allowing us to share resources, coordinate our demands and amplify our collective and individual work nationwide to build a safer, more just world for all women, and trans, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people regardless of their race, Indigeneity, immigration status, disability or socio-economic status.
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