Jill Varley

Canadian Women & Sport is seeking policy and funding support for gender equity in sport across government departments. Canadian Women & Sport is advocating for the integration of gender equity considerations or standards into the funding framework(s) for funding envelopes controlled by Sport Canada. Canadian Women & Sport, on behalf of all National Sport Organizations, Multi-Sport Service Organizations and Canadian Sport Institutes, are seeking the continuation of targeted gender equity in sport funding to support the achievement of the federal government's stated goal of gender equality at all levels of sport by 2035.

Providing commentary and input with respect to Bill C-9, The Combatting Hate Act, including possible amendments that would strengthen the bill to ensure all equity deserving groups, including Black Canadians, are protected from hate speech. The purpose of this assignment is to brief decision makers on the Black Opportunity Fund, and its subsidiary BOF Capital Inc, on its programs and impacts with respect to Black-led Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs; programming that supports Black-led charities, non-profits and social enterprises; and housing policy solutions that would support Black Canadians to access affordable and attainable homeownership, as Canada takes steps to address the country’s housing affordability crisis.

To communicate with public office holders and provide advisory services in respect of federal legislation, regulations, and public policy initiatives affecting youth, including but not limited to online harms legislation, artificial intelligence technologies (including chatbots), and other existing or proposed legislative or regulatory measures that may impact young people. Requesting $500,000 over two years to formally integrate youth mental health leadership and lived experience into federal workforce, health, and education strategies, by funding partnerships with Jack.org to support youth co-design, policy consultation, and evaluation initiatives with departments like Health Canada, ESDC, PHAC, and PCH. Seeking a federal investment of $2.5 million over three years through the Public Health Agency of Canada or the Youth Mental Health Fund to scale Jack.org’s Be There Certificate and edHub, reaching 75,000 youth by 2028 with evidence-informed mental health literacy tools in both digital and school-based formats. Engaging with Canada’s regional development agencies (e.g. ACOA, CanNor, PrairiesCan, FedNor, FedDev Ontario) to explore regionally tailored initiatives that strengthen the youth talent pipeline, support youth mental health and leadership, and contribute to the growth of local businesses by equipping young people with the skills, resilience, and capacity to participate in and lead regional economic development. Advocating for the recapitalization of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS) and allocation of $3 million over three years to Jack.org to fund 420 paid, peer-led youth mental health leadership positions—delivering mentorship, Jack Talks, and outreach that will reach 200,000 youth across Canada by 2028.

Strategies to prevent gender-based violence through firearm safety measures, including national firearms buyback program Advancing investments, policies and programs around caregiving and the care economy with a gender equity focus, including supporting the majority-women community services workforce. Investments in Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care, rollout of childcare agreements across Canada. Women's Housing and Homelessness, ensuring a gender equity lens in federal housing policy and affordable housing investments, and the renewal of funding for housing dedicated to women. We are seeking investments in women's labour market participation, including investments in re-skilling programs that are gender-responsive. Advancing policies, programs and investments in gender-based violence prevention and intervention, including the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. Federal budget with respect to investments in the social service sector for funding the supports the mental health of frontline community service workers. Addressing online hate and technology-facilitated violence through online safety legislation, policies or regulations.