Sask. sexual violence advocates raise concerns as gender equality department faces 81% budget cut

WATCH: Sexual assault service of Saskatchewan has joined hundreds of non-profits in sounding the alarm over a potential 80 per cent cut in federal funding.

Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan (SASS) has joined hundreds of organizations across the country in sounding the alarm over cuts to federal funding for gender-based violence initiatives.

The concerns follow the release of the Department for Women and Gender Equality’s (WAGE) latest departmental plan, which shows funding dropping from about $400 million in 2025–26 to $76 million in 2027–28.

WAGE notes the decrease is mainly due to the end of time-limited funding.

SASS says the planned cutbacks send a message.

“It just shows the lack of commitment to gender-based violence within our country,” said Kerrie Isaac, executive director of SASS.

The organization works with frontline agencies and community partners to support survivors of sexual violence. It says federal funding has been essential to expanding programs, raising awareness and supporting research projects. Without it, Isaac worries much of that work could be stalled.

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“I’m worried about the lack of dedicated space given to this issue, particularly in Saskatchewan,” she said.

Saskatchewan has the highest rate of gender-based violence in the country, with sexual assault rates nearly double the national average, according to SASS. The organization says the province would be among the hardest hit by the proposed reductions.

In a statement to CTV News, WAGE says no funding decisions have been made.“

The federal government is not cutting existing funding to Sexual Assault Services of Saskatchewan,” the statement read.

WAGE also says support for SASS’s research projects will continue as planned.

Meanwhile, SASS has joined more than 300 organizations across the country in penning a letter to the Prime Minister expressing concerns over funding.

“This massive budget reduction would effectively gut the entire department,” the letter read.“It will be impossible for WAGE to fulfill its mandate under these circumstances.”