North York Women's Shelter turns away 132 survivors as demand outpaces funding and capacity
Operating at full capacity for 42 years, the shelter receives two-thirds of its budget from government and must fundraise the rest—a gap widening as intimate partner violence remains persistent.
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North York Women's Shelter is running at capacity and had to turn away 132 survivors who called seeking emergency shelter last year, as intimate partner violence continues to affect a significant portion of the Canadian population. Every five minutes, a woman in Canada experiences intimate partner violence, and more than two in five women experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.
The shelter, which has been operating for 42 years, provides emergency crisis shelter to women, trans, and non-binary survivors of gender-based violence, along with their children and pets. It also operates a transitional program, food program, safety planning service, and 24-hour crisis line. When a family moves out, the next person who calls and needs help moves right in—a pattern that shows the ongoing need.
Rachel Morrison, Senior Manager of Fund Development at NYWS, noted that intimate partner violence takes many forms. "Some people experience psychological abuse, manipulation, and coercive control. Some may experience stalking and harassment, including cyber-stalking. Some experience financial control and abuse, and then others experience physical and sexual violence," Morrison said.
The shelter receives approximately two-thirds of its annual operating budget from government support, meaning it must fundraise one-third from the community and donors. "People expect that a shelter is fully government-funded, and that's sadly not the case," Morrison said. Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health has supported NYWS since 2001 and helped fund a new purpose-built shelter facility that opened in 2020. From September 12 to October 9, the foundation's annual Giving Shelter campaign will raise funds across all Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores nationwide to support over 300 women's shelters and programs across the country.
What is the shelter's annual operating budget and the specific dollar amount needed from fundraising?
Has government funding increased proportionally to the rise in demand for emergency shelter?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How long has North York Women's Shelter been operating?
North York Women's Shelter has been operating for 42 years.
What portion of its budget does North York Women's Shelter receive from government?
North York Women's Shelter receives approximately two-thirds of its annual operating budget from government support, requiring it to fundraise one-third from the community and donors.
When is the Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health's Giving Shelter campaign running?
The Giving Shelter campaign runs from September 12 to October 9, 2026, raising funds across Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores nationwide to support over 300 women's shelters and programs across the country.
