“Mr. Harper’s actions speak louder than his weak denials that he supports women’s right to choose,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff. “After leaving Planned Parenthood’s funding in limbo for nearly two years – and with Conservative candidate Brad Trost’s admission yesterday – there can be no question of Mr. Harper’s true intentions.

“Everyone who cares about women’s rights has to rise up to stop Mr. Harper,” he added. “Let there be no doubt: Liberals will always defend women’s rights – including a woman’s right to choose – and we’re calling on progressive Canadians to choose a Liberal government to guarantee their protection.”

Conservative candidate for Saskatoon-Humboldt Brad Trost, in a recording of a speech to Saskatchewan’s Pro-Life Association, thanked its members for their role in defunding Planned Parenthood, and called on them to remain vigilant.  Planned Parenthood has been waiting almost two years for approval of an $18-million grant without explanation – effectively leaving them cutting them off.

The Liberal Party’s Women’s Caucus Chair Lise Zarac said Mr. Trost’s admission runs contrary to repeated claims made by International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda that the decision to defund the International Planned Parenthood Federation was not ideological. Successive Liberal and Conservative governments have funded Planned Parenthood for 40 years.

“Conservatives reveal their true intentions behind closed doors and hope that it never sees the light of day,” said Ms. Zarac. “With Mr. Trost’s admission that the pro-life movement directly influenced the Conservatives’ decision to defund this organization, it should be clear to everyone that Mr. Harper’s Reform-Conservative base is determined to impose their agenda on mainstream Canada.”

Anita Neville, the party’s spokeswoman for Status of Women, said other groups have also seen examples of this, such as KAIROS.

“The Conservatives have cut off funding to other programs that don’t meet their ideological social agenda,” said Ms. Neville. “In Harper’s Canada, ideology takes precedent over facts and evidence when it comes to women’s rights – and Mr. Trost’s speech is proof that they are secretly re-shaping this country in their own image.”

“Stephen Harper is putting the health and well-being of women and children around the world in jeopardy by changing Canada’s long-standing position,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff. “Canadians now know Mr. Harper’s true intentions before they go to the polls on May 2.”

“Women will welcome the Liberal party’s announcement today of a $500 million federal Early Childhood Learning and Care Fund. The long-term goal of a ‘high-quality, affordable early childhood learning and care space for every Canadian family that wants one’ is the social policy Canada needs.” (Press Release, YWCA Canada, March 31, 2011)

“This federal money, combined with provincial dollars, will create services that are desperately needed by Canadian families today. This is a significant commitment of money that will result in actual affordable child care spaces, and that’s what’s needed now.” (Andrea Calver, Coordinator, Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, March 31, 2011)

« Le chef libéral a dévoilé les détails de ce plan dans une garderie de Winnipeg, précisant que le fonds de 500 millions $ atteindrait le milliard d’ici la quatrième année. Les provinces et les territoires n’auraient qu’à présenter une demande pour financer leurs propres services de garde et leurs centres de la petite enfance, en vue de créer de nouvelles places et d’embaucher des enseignants supplémentaires. » (Le Soleil, Le 1er avril 2011)

“The Liberal federal election pledge to reintroduce a national childcare program will finally put Canada on the road to giving families the support they need during their children’s early years… We are very encouraged that Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff has chosen to make childcare a prominent issue in this election and has pledged to build a universal high quality program” said Debra Mayer, a Winnipeg childcare expert. “The proposal recognizes this as both the first stage of education for all children and a valuable support for parents, especially working mothers.” (Press release, Code Blue for Child Care, March 31, 2011)

“While the CCCF calls on all federal parties to commit to quality child care and recognize the realities of today”s working families, we support the principles, the leadership and the accountability built in to this national early learning and child care plan,” said CCCF President Don Giesbrecht. (Press release, Canadian Child Care Federation, March 31, 2011)

« Puisque le gouvernement fédéral n’a pas juridiction en matière de services à la petite enfance, le Parti libéral propose d’aider les provinces et territoires à développer des systèmes… similaires à celui du Québec. (La Presse, le 31 mars 2011)

“This is not only the right thing to do, for children and for women, but it’s also the smart thing to do for our communities and for Canada… Good childcare works for everyone in Canada-children, families and communities-because it yields economic and social benefits such as health, lifelong learning, training and employment support, and social cohesion.” (Sue Delanoy, Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada, March 31, 2011)

“PSAC applauds the Liberals for putting this important issue on the federal election agenda.” (Press release, Public Service Alliance of Canada, April 1, 2011)

“Another much welcomed element announced in this Liberal Party plan is that it will incorporate a process whereby the provinces and territories will have the ability to exchange and share research and best practices–in other words, a national conversation on child care systems. The Government of Canada needs to take advantage of the vast early learning research we have and apply it to a pan-Canadian system. …Early learning and child care continues to be a public issue affecting millions of Canadian children and their families, yet our current public discourse on a national level fails to address the importance of children’s safety, their positive development, or the needs of real Canadian families.  The time has come to put children first by supporting families and investing where early learning research and good practice tell us will reap the most success: quality early learning and child care.” (Press release, Canadian Child Care Federation, March 31, 2011)

“Then Ignatieff released his party’s child-care program. In its first year of office, a Liberal government would set up a $500 million fund to help the provinces create and operate early learning and child-care facilities in its first year of office.  Over the course of its mandate, it would raise its contribution to $1 billion a year.  The fund would come out of the $6 billion saved by cancelling the corporate tax cut. Parents would not have to sacrifice the $100 a month benefit they now receive.  These announcements, plus the caregiver plan unveiled last fall, give the Liberals a solid foundation on which to build.” (Toronto Star, Editorial, April 2, 2011)

***

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister for Status of Women for her statement and for the opportunity to offer some words of my own on behalf of the Liberal Party.

2011 marks the 100th year of International Women’s Day, an event that is being marked in communities and in schools across Canada.

Women in Canada and around the world have gained much over the last 100 years, the right to vote, to work, to equal participation in government.

It is a testament to the women who came before, in civil society, this House and in the Senate, that I rise today to reply to a statement by a female cabinet member responsible for the status of women.

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements, but also to reflect on how far we have to go and must go to achieve full gender equality and eradicate gender discrimination in its entirety.

Here in Parliament, less than 25% of members are women. Increasing women’s participation in this important role would have an impact on how young women perceive themselves as well as on their country and the world.

Women in Canada also continue to earn, on average, less than men. Despite high educational attainment, this wage gap remains a reminder that we must provide the range of supports necessary so that women can enjoy full participation in our political and economic life.

While I share the minister’s enthusiasm for the great potential of our young women and girls, I believe that this potential will never be fully realized and the wage gap never fully closed if these supports do not exist. The need for affordable, accessible child care remains great, and Canada has yet to adequately meet this challenge. The need for a national housing strategy is also urgent.

I would encourage the government to respond to the unanimous will of this House and implement a national violence against women prevention strategy. There is also an urgent need for a national action plan on human trafficking so that Canada’s efforts in this area are comprehensive, coordinated and effective.

I recently attended the 55th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. While there I heard a vision of a world “where women and men have equal rights and opportunities, and the principles of gender equality and women’s empowerment are firmly integrated into the development, human rights, and peace and security agendas”.

We have already done much in Canada to promote these rights and provide these opportunities for women at home and abroad, but much remains to be done.

We in this House have both the mandate and the enormous responsibility to ensure that gender equality and equality of opportunity are real, so that women’s potential and women’s creativity can be fully embraced for a better future for all of us.

The National Women’s Liberal Commission meets with Michael Ignatieff. Photo: Richard McGuire.

Yesterday, the National Women’s Liberal Commission (NWLC) came to the Hill with an important message. Participating in the public life of our country matters.  Women must always have a seat at the table when important decisions are being made about our communities, our country, and our party.

As President of the NWLC, I was so proud of what we came together to do yesterday. In meetings with women’s caucus, Michael Ignatieff, and Liberal MPs,  we raised issues of increased support for women candidates and leading the charge in promoting women’s issues in Canada.

The theme for this centennial International Women’s Day is Girls’ Rights Matter. So this year we are focusing on equality and access to opportunity for all girls and women throughout their lives.

As the mother of two very young girls (one four and  the other one-a-half years old) with a full-time job outside the home, I feel like every minute away from them needs to count. Yesterday was worth every second.

As we reflect on the successes and achievements of the women around us, let us also remember that more needs to be done to achieve true equality.  We need your voice.   Join us!

- Nicole

Nicole Foster Woollatt is the president of the National Women’s Liberal Commission.

“100 years ago tomorrow, the first International Women’s Day was established in 1911 to campaign for women’s rights to work, vote, hold public office and end gender discrimination.

“Today, International Women’s Day celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women across the globe. Commemorative events across Canada will reflect on women’s progress over the decades, and the challenges that still remain before all women achieve true equality.

“The Liberal Party of Canada believes that the strength of Canadian society is dependent on the full participation of women in our economy, our government and our country’s decision-making. When women succeed, all of Canada wins.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our parliamentary caucus – particularly the Liberal Women’s Caucus – I would like to reaffirm our party’s commitment to creating equal opportunity for all women, both in Canada and around the world.”

Liberal Women’s Caucus Chair Lise Zarac added:

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the incredible achievements of women in Canada and around the world. It is also a stark reminder of how women’s equality in Canada has taken a step back under Stephen Harper’s regressive policies, which have led to a growing gender gap in this country.

“To commemorate the global centenary year of International Women’s Day, Liberals will continue to fight for equal opportunity for all women. There are still far too many women – here at home and across the globe – living with poverty, prejudice and abuse, solely because they are women.”

Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville added:

“Over the last five years, Canadian women have seen their equality diminish. Stephen Harper has done worse than simply ignoring Canadian women – he has deliberately made choices that have reversed a decade of progress on women’s equality.

“Liberals believe that Canada’s federal government must lead by example by adopting policies and programs that help more women and girls participate in all levels of society. Let’s make every day women’s day by working to ensure a bright, safe and prosperous future for all women and girls over the next 100 years.”

ALL Liberal women (individually or through your club or provincial commission) are invited to submit resolutions to NWLC Policy Chair, Mary Pynenburg at mpynenburg@telus.net in the standard convention format, with contact information and any background information before January 28, 2011. If you’re not familiar with how to format your policy ideas, more information is available here.

All resolutions will be submitted to the NWLC executive to decide our final 10 priority resolutions for the biennial. We’re looking for policy relevant to women that broadly appeals to progressive voters.

NWLC Day on the Hill
Last year, the NWLC staged our first ever NWLC Day on the Hill. NWLC-ers from across the country convened on Parliament Hill to meet with Liberal MPs and raise awareness of the NWLC. Our day included a round table with women’s caucus, a meeting with Leader Michael Ignatieff, numerous meetings with Liberal MPs, and culminated with a reception benefitting the Judy LaMarsh Fund headlined by the Hon. Carolyn Bennett. Planning is underway for a second Day on the Hill on March 7, 2011. Stay tuned for details…

Taking Down Bullies
Newfoundland MP Siobhan Coady became a feminist hero last year when Treasury Board Min. John Baird appeared (uninvited) as a committee witness investigating the Rahim Jaffer affair and turned up his famed, pit-bull rhetoric against her. Ms. Coady rightly called Baird’s actions “ridiculous and patronizing” and challenged the minister directly, “are you trying to intimidate me, Mr. Baird? Because I’ll put myself up against you any day on intimidation factors. Don’t ever try to intimidate me, ever.” Coady said Baird’s “schoolyard bullying tactics” won’t deter her from getting answers. “I’m not giving up on this,” she told CBC reporters. “I don’t get intimidated easily.” We were cheering at the TV! Watch the must-see clip here.

Putting Families First
Michael Ignatieff is putting families first with a Family Care Tax Benefit and a Family Care Plan and that would allow family caregivers to collect EI for up to six months to care for aging parents, grandparents and sick loved ones at home. More…

Stephen Harper is Just Not That Into You… Yakety Yak (Don’t Talk Back)
“Speaking Truth to Power – A Reader on Canadian Women’s Inequality” was inspired by Conservative Senator Nancy Ruth’s advice to Canadian feminist leaders to “STFU” on the issue of maternal health initiatives or face political retribution from Harper.Leading women from across the political spectrum collaborated on this collection of essays about the disintegration of women’s rights under Harper’s government – it’s a thought-provoking read.

Fast forward to 2005. Women make up about 37% of all appointments – still a long way from equal gender representation, but progress nonetheless.

I was curious to see what progress the Conservatives had made closing the gender gap, so I asked the government to provide me with a report on the number of women appointed to federal agencies over the past five years.

I was shocked at the response.

According to documents from the Privy Council, the percentage of women appointed to federal agencies fell to 32.5% between February 2006 and May 2010, including 26.7%  on Crown boards.

When questioned by CBC News about this steep decline, Conservative Senator Marjorie LeBreton quipped, “it has nothing to do with a lack of commitment to promoting women.”

I beg to differ.

The decline in female representation under the Conservatives is only one example of the Stephen Harper’s lack of commitment to achieving meaningful gender equality.

Over the past five years the Harper Conservatives have made substantial cuts to the regional offices of Status of Women Canada, cancelled funding for research and advocacy by women’s organizations, scrapped the long-form census used by policy makers to analyze gender representation, cancelled the Court Challenges Program, and launched an ideological crusade to eliminate the life-saving long-gun registry. And the list goes on.

Liberals have never accepted the excuse that there aren’t enough qualified women to achieve equal gender representation.  We haven’t forgotten the government’s obligation to achieve diversity in its own appointments.

Let’s not forget that it was under the previous Liberal government that the percentage of women appointees reached about 37% from 2002 to 2005. We did it by having a structured appointment process and a clear goal: more female appointments.

Improving gender equality requires leadership. But leadership only exists when there is a real commitment to change – clearly something the Conservative government is lacking.

As women, we need to ask ourselves: after five years of Harper, are we better off?

-Anita

Anita Neville is the Liberal Status of Women Critic

“Forty years ago today, on December 7th, 1970, the historic Royal Commission on the Status of Women tabled its ground-breaking recommendations in the House of Commons, paving the way for greater equality for Canadian women.

“The Commission, which played a major role in defining the status of women as a legitimate social problem, formed the basis for much-needed change in the areas of pay equity, maternity leave, birth control, day care, women in managerial positions, pensions, and prohibiting ‘gender’ and ‘marital status’ as grounds for discrimination by employers.

“Today, as we reflect on women’s progress over the decades, knowing that most of the 167 recommendations have been partially or fully implemented, there are challenges that still remain before all women achieve true equality.

“Unfortunately, women’s equality has taken a step back under the Conservative government’s regressive policies, which have led to a growing gender gap in this country.

“Canada’s federal government must lead by example by adopting policies and programs that help more women and girls to participate in all aspects of society. Only then will the promise of gender equality be fully realized.

“On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our parliamentary caucus, I call on all Canadians to stop and reflect on the status of women in today’s society, celebrate how far we’ve come and commit to continuing the battle for equality of opportunity for all Canadians.”

Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville added:

“We are fortunate today as many women enjoy a prosperity and freedom their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers could only dream of. But we must continue our fight.

“Women have fallen behind under this government. The Conservatives have turned a woman’s fundamental right to equal pay for equal work into something up for grabs at the collective bargaining table, and have banned all government-funded research and advocacy into gender equality.”

Chair of the Liberal Women’s Caucus Lise Zarac added:

“Whether through the cancellation of the Court Challenges Program or the shutting down of the Sisters in Spirit program, the Conservative government has continually undermined civil society’s ability to improve gender equality in Canada.

“On this momentous anniversary, let us remember that equality will only be achieved when the federal government upholds its responsibilities to the women of Canada.”

“The Liberal Party is leading the way in the fight for women’s equality,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “This bill repeals measures put forward by the Harper Conservatives that put pay equity on the bargaining table – because no human right should ever be subject to negotiation. All Canadians, regardless of their gender, deserve the full protection of their government, and equality in the workplace.

“This past May, despite government opposition, a majority of MPs in the House of Commons voted in favour of my Private Member’s Bill on pay equity at second reading. Liberals find it deplorable that the Harper Conservatives would deny women the right to receive equal pay for work of equal value.”

In Budget 2009, the Harper Conservatives attacked the rights of Canadian women by undermining pay equity. Mr. Ignatieff’s Private Members Bill calls for swift action to implement the recommendations of the 2004 Pay Equity Task Force, including a new pay equity commission to ensure pay equity in the federal public service, Crown corporations, and federally-regulated corporations.

“This prime minister is seriously out of touch with the beliefs and values of Canadians if he thinks that pay equity isn’t an important issue,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “We are a country that believes in equality and respect for all persons, yet we have a government that doesn’t acknowledge these important principles, and would rather focus their efforts on prisons and planes than making sure all Canadians are treated equally.

“Despite this government’s best efforts to make pay equity go away, we will not stop until the human right to equal pay for work of equal value is recognized,” concluded Mr. Ignatieff.

Backgrounder

Pay Equity facts:

• Today in Canada, women on average earn seventy-two cents for every dollar earned by their male colleagues.
• Women with children earn fifty-two cents for every dollar earned by their male colleagues.
• Two-thirds of all minimum wage earners are women, and women are over-represented among part-time and unpaid workers, as well as those in the lowest income bracket.
• Among top earners, men outnumber women by more than 333 per cent.

Conservative attacks on women’s equality in Canada:

• Turned a woman’s fundamental right to pay equity into something up for grabs at the collective bargaining table.
• Cut the operating budget of Status of Women Canada by 43 per cent, while removing the word “equality” from the mandate of its Women’s Program.
• Banned the words “gender equality” from the lexicon of the Foreign Affairs department and embarrassed Canada on the world stage by excluding reproductive health from our G8 plans.
• Removed the Gender Equality unit in the Human Rights Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
• Eliminated funding for the Court Challenges Program that low-income women used to fight discrimination.
• Axed the $1-billion annual Liberal early learning and child care agreements that would have made childcare affordable for low-income women and freed up their time to work.
• Axed the Kelowna Accord which would have provided much-needed health, education and economic development funding to Aboriginal women.
• Eliminated the National Child Supplement.
• Failed to produce their ‘Action Plan’ – announced in Budget 2008 – to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions and their participation in democratic life.
• Ignored a November 25, 2008 motion passed unanimously in the House of Commons to develop a violence against women prevention strategy.