Thank you.
Evidence of meeting #16 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was human.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #16 for Status of Women in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was human.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Liberal
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Good morning, ladies.
I have a brief question about something of concern to me. Today, a letter was published expressing the views of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Status of Women. I don't really understand what she means by this, and I quote:
In light of the inaccurate information that has circulated regarding $5 million cuts to Status of Women Canada's administrative costs, I believe it is appropriate to set the record straight. These goals will be met by rationalizing and improving program efficiency and the cuts will in no way affect the budget.
What does that mean?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
If you read the following sentence, you'll see that the Minister points out that the Women's Program, which has a budget of $10.8 million under Grants and Contributions, will not be affected in any way. What that means is that the Women's Program has received, and will continue to receive, $10.8 million, under Grants and Contributions.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
When it says “$5 million in administrative costs“, does that mean that Status of Women Canada can reduce its administrative costs by $5 million?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
Status of Women Canada is not limited to the Women's Program. We have one branch that deals with policy and provides advice on gender-based policy. We also have a research branch, and a gender-based analysis branch. In addition, we have Corporate Services, Communications Services, a department that looks after consultations and communications, and we have the instigators—or promoters, if you prefer—of Women's History Month, International Women's Day, and the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case. Status of Women Canada does not only deliver grants and contributions.
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
In order to carry out all those activities, we have an operating budget of $11.5 million.
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
Program administration per se costs $3.8 million. As a result, the cuts being asked of us by the government will affect something other than program delivery. The Minister is convinced that she will be able to find that $5 million by enhancing efficiency and rationalizing our activities.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Does administering the Women's Program cost $3.8 million, or less than that? How much does it cost to manage that program?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
Managing the Women's Program costs $3.8 million, but we are not talking only about program delivery. The branch that looks after that is the branch responsible for the Women's Program and Regional Operations.
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
Our employees at different service points across the provinces and the regions do not only deliver the program. They also sit on interdepartmental committees with other colleagues, to advocate for women's equality. They also take part in developing strategies related to rural women, and the agreement in Vancouver, which means that there is an important component for women living in Vancouver. They carry out consultations with stakeholders and with the provinces, territories and governments. They provide a great deal of information about federal programs, not only those delivered by Status of Women Canada, but other programs that can be of interest to women and help them move their issues forward.
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
The $3.8 million does a lot more than just pay for program operations.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
Which means that the $3.8 million, out of the total of $11.5 million, allows you to manage not only the Women's Program, but all the other things you talked about...
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
No, the cost of the Women's Program is $3.8 million.
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
That is the cost of the Women's Program and Regional Operations. The rest of the $11.5 funds the other activities I just described.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Bloc Ahuntsic, QC
The Minister has said that activities will not be affected, but all the things you just referred to—analysis, research, information and awareness-raising—are activities; they're not just hot air. Where are you going to find that $5 million? You have $3.8 million to manage everything—in other words, the Women's Program and Regional Operations. And in addition to that, there are all the other things you just talked about.
