Status of Women committee  She could also read the new Quebec policy that sets out 63 specific steps and five major policy thrusts, 10 of which deal with the economic autonomy and equality of women.

Status of Women committee  We are suggesting the following four measures: that the Minister immediately restore Status of Women Canada's budget; that regional offices be re-opened and that the responsibilities of the current team be restored; that the primary mission of the Women's Program, which is the achievement of equality between men and women, be restored and that the emphasis be placed on equality in fact; and that the Minister implement the recommendations of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women with respect to the funding of the Women's Program.

Status of Women committee  We have done a great deal of research in recent years. In Quebec, the Women's Labour Development Advisory Committee has done some research, and the most recent statistics show that in some categories, we are moving towards equality.

Status of Women committee  I believe we already have.

Status of Women committee  I talked about direct budget cuts representing 66 per cent of our organization's core funding. We received about $75,000 annually, per initiative, under the Women's Program. I could table with the Committee a list of what we have done in the last two years. We spearheaded a campaign, as part of the tenth anniversary of the Quebec Pay Equity Act.

Status of Women committee  Quite recently, the Quebec Pay Equity Commission published its report, some 10 years after the legislation was passed. I invite you to read it, because it is extremely interesting. It is surely available in English. It includes observations regarding the effects of proactive pay equity legislation.

Status of Women committee  That is certainly a possibility. As far as we are concerned, the changes to the Women's Program mandate are really budget cuts, and nothing less. We are working not only to ensure that we can play a greater role within society—which is the new Program objective—but also to achieve equality between men and women.

Status of Women committee  I do not claim to speak for all women's groups in Quebec. However, I can tell you that these changes have been very badly received in Quebec. This is the only federal program for women's groups in Quebec, and reaction is extremely negative. We have the feeling that this is an attempt to get rid of national organizations.

Status of Women committee  The regional offices are extremely important because WP program officers would follow up on our files, both in terms of developing our applications and throughout the follow-up process. It was an extremely important relationship. As well, there were people at SWC with expertise in women's issues that will no longer be there now.

Status of Women committee  Fine. I don't have any time left? All right.

Status of Women committee  Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to begin by thanking the members of the Standing Committee of the House of Commons on the Status of Women for the invitation to appear. It is very important for us to come before you to talk about the repercussions for our organization of recent changes at Status of Women Canada.