Thank you.
Evidence of meeting #7 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cases.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #7 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cases.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
12:55 p.m.
Chair, Law Program Committee, Women's Legal Education and Action Fund
Okay.
I'm trying to make clear what the original question was.
As I understand, the question you would like to have answered is what some of the cases are that would remain unfulfilled as a result of the de-funding of the court challenges program, and that's an excellent question.
I think we have talked about a few. Obviously, Ms. McIvor has given very powerful evidence about one of the most important cases that's working its way up. Other areas I've alluded to are the cases that are coming up through the criminal bar. Also, Elizabeth Atcheson made clear that there's a problem here, because in a case like that the defence and the prosecutor are really focused on their particular case. What they're doing is actually unintentionally eroding some of the very important charter gains that have been made around the protection of privacy of Canadians, the protection for women against harmful effects of stereotypes. They don't intend that to happen, but the cases are coming up, and somebody needs to be at the court to say, “Hang on, you don't actually see what's happening here. Here's the evidence to the court. We have the expertise and we can provide it.” Because we don't have funding, we can't get access to those cases. And when we do find out about them, we don't have the money to launch a challenge.
Those are some examples.
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
Joe Comuzzi Conservative Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
Just let me ask Sharon McIvor, for a moment--
12:55 p.m.
Bloc
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
I would just like to make a brief comment, because my time is limited.
I would like to come back to funding, because governments today have a tendency to rely on the community sector; Ms. Boucher referred to this earlier.
I find it rather a shame because now, in the community sector, there are organizations and associations that hold all kinds of drives for people who are alone, the elderly, people who are sick, the disabled, crime victims, victims of sexual abuse, the disadvantaged, and people with drug problems. I could go on and on, but the fact is that the community system has been allowed to take over in recent years, and this, in my opinion, has led both the provincial and the federal governments to offload their responsibilities.
What most of you have told us this morning is that it is important to reinstate the Court Challenges Program, even if, as Ms. Davidson pointed out, it is not perfect. As parliamentarians, it is our responsibility within the government to maintain this program and to improve it if possible.
I must say there is something that I have had difficulty understanding ever since this government came to power. They have tried to make us believe that backpedalling is a good idea. There is a total lack of understanding on their part.
There has been progress made with regard to the status of women. It is important that we not let you down or take away the tools that you are entitled to in order to further the cause of women. I defy any one of you to stand up and tell me that gender equality has been achieved.
Please stand up.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Irene Mathyssen
Thank you. That's time.
I have a very quick question, and then we'll conclude with Madame Boucher.
The previous Minister for the Status of Women said that there was no problem cancelling the court challenges program because every woman in Canada is able to access her rights with a phone call. Do you have a quick comment in regard to that statement?
12:55 p.m.
President, DisAbled Women's Network of Canada
For anyone who's interested, I have my personal directive here, which is similar to a living will. Attached to it is a letter from the health minister explaining why I don't have access to my health rights.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Irene Mathyssen
Thank you.
I'm sorry, I have to give the last word to Madame Boucher.
12:55 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Point of order.
Earlier, opposition MPs on this committee referred to certain guests who are here today, saying that they were obviously on our side. I would like to correct that: the people we invited are not here today.
1 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
I am saying this because earlier, certain things happened. I would just like to set things straight.
1 p.m.
The Clerk
Ms. Boucher, we called everyone.
1 p.m.
Conservative
Sylvie Boucher Conservative Beauport—Limoilou, QC
Yes, but the people we invited are not here today.
1 p.m.
The Clerk
Two people whose names were suggested by Mr. Stanton turned down our invitation. So we were given other names. That happened on Thursday.
1 p.m.
The Clerk
So we suggested that they come on December 11 and we are waiting for their reply.
1 p.m.
The Clerk
As concerns Ms. Deschamps, we tried to balance things out by going on to the Aboriginals, perhaps on December 11. However, one of the two witnesses suggested by Ms. Demers turned down our invitation, and we are still awaiting a reply from the sexual assault crisis centres concerning the appearance on December 11. But absolutely all the witnesses whose names were submitted to us were called.
December 4th, 2007 / 1 p.m.
National Vice-President, REAL Women of Canada
Madam Chair, I'd hardly say that there was balance today. You get all these people who get funded by the program, and REAL Women are left without.
1 p.m.
NDP
The Vice-Chair NDP Irene Mathyssen
Okay, this meeting is adjourned.
I would like to thank the witnesses for coming. We're very much at the mercy of time. I wish we did have more time, but we thank you for the energy and the commitment that you have given to this committee today. We are most grateful.
The meeting is adjourned.