The federal government’s announcement in Moncton this week committing $607 million to renew the National Action Plan to end gender-based violence has drawn cautious optimism from a local front-line service that says small organizations must be part of funding decisions.
Local shelter closed after grant ended
Community of Hope, a Moncton non-profit that supports survivors of human trafficking, sex workers and women experiencing abuse, closed its emergency shelter in December 2025 after a time-limited provincial grant expired. Staff and volunteers now run a drop-in centre that provides basic needs and referral supports, but leaders say long-term recovery housing remains out of reach without sustained operating dollars.
“We did have a New Brunswick grant for two years that helped us open up the trauma recovery for exploited women home, T.R.E.W., is what we called it,”
The group uses a first-name-only practice for staff safety; a worker known as Maggie told reporters she works full time without pay to keep services running. Community of Hope hopes the renewed federal funding will be accessible to small community groups like theirs and not limited to larger agencies or ministries.
Concerns about consultation and eligibility
At the Moncton announcement, Community of Hope urged ministers and bureaucrats to consult with front-line providers before finalizing how the renewed plan’s funds will be distributed. The organisation said it wants confirmation that confidential, small-scale operations that offer trauma-informed supports will be considered eligible for future streams.
- Amount announced: $607 million to renew the national plan.
- Local impact: Community of Hope closed its emergency shelter in Dec. 2025 after provincial grant ended.
- Current services: Drop-in centre offering showers, meals, rest and referral support.
- Request: Inclusion of front-line groups in funding decisions and eligibility criteria.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Federal pledge | $607 million |
| Local shelter closure | December 2025 |
Community of Hope’s leaders emphasise confidentiality and small scale are essential to their work with vulnerable people, and said those features can make fundraising and eligibility for larger grants difficult. They said they remain hopeful officials will direct funds to where survivors and front-line staff say the needs are greatest.
Federal ministers held closed-door meetings in Moncton as part of the announcement. Community groups and survivors’ advocates will be watching for details on program design, application processes and timelines that will determine whether the renewed investment reaches local shelters and grassroots services.
The outcome will affect whether organizations that filled service gaps during funding shortfalls can reopen or expand supports for women fleeing violence and exploitation in the Moncton area.
