Provincial Funding for Women’s Non-Profit Organizations in Nova Scotia

Abstract

In Canada, federal funding has been instrumental in the founding of, and survival of, advocacy organizations. Federal budget cuts, however, have jeopardized this funding. In some provinces, funding from provincial government has insulated women’s organizations from the effects of federal budget cuts. To ascertain whether or not this is the case in Nova Scotia, this thesis examines trends in provincial funding of women’s organizations between 1960-2014. It also analyses the views of representatives of women’s organizations on their funding experience with state funding. My analysis offers evidence that Nova Scotia did step in during periods of federal budget cuts. It also shows that although the provincial government is a key funder, many organizations feel that it can still do more and that there may be a mismatch in funding priorities and organizations’ needs.