My name is Charlotte Thibault and I have been a member of the Fédération des femmes du Québec since 1979.
I have been interested in the work of Status of Women Canada and the Women's Program since 1982. Seventeen years ago today, 14 young women who were students at the École polytechnique in Montreal were killed by a man who had a grudge against feminists. They were the symbol of our fight for equality. They were young, intelligent and wanted to work in a field that was reserved for men. Seventeen years ago, a friend of mine lost her daughter; at the time I was the Director General of the Fédération des femmes du Québec. Seventeen years ago seems like an eternity, like a mere moment. I'm sure that you understand why, on this highly symbolic day, the Chair of the Fédération des femmes du Québec could not leave Montreal.
The FFQ is an autonomous feminist organization that works in solidarity and alliance with other groups to change the gender relations in all human activities, so as to encourage the full autonomous development of women and the true recognition of what they contribute to society.
Founded in 1976 by Thérèse Casgrain, the FFQ represents 156 associate members and almost 800 individual members from all regions of Quebec. The main objectives of the FFQ are to promote and defend the rights and interests of women and to combat all forms of violence, discrimination, marginalization or exclusion of women.
The FFQ is a clearing house that represents the pluralism of Quebec society and the diversity of the women's movement, particularly women living in poverty or women who are the victims of discrimination based primarily on their colour, their ethnic origin, their sexual orientation, their disability, their age, their religion, or their lifestyle.
The FFQ has made a series of findings related to the cutbacks at Status of Women Canada and to the changes in the criteria of the Women's Program.
First, we feel that it is unacceptable to remove the equality objective from the department's mandate; it is contrary to the spirit of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as the various treaties and conventions signed by Canada, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Cutting the budget for Status of Women Canada means destroying an essential mechanism for the equality of Canadian women. The cuts that were announced affect mainly positions held by women, among them, at least ten visible minority women. Many of them will not be able to find another job because they have no tenure. Besides the 61 positions that have been cut, many others will be downgraded, which means that other employees will be leaving. In Quebec, the Quebec City office will be closing.
The already infrequent consultations with women's groups will become almost non existent. The lack of funding for independent research will affect the consideration of public policy. The change in the funding criteria to prohibit advocacy or lobbying activities will have an effect on the work of the FFQ. On average, 22 % of the FFQ's budget is funded by the Women's Program.
The situation is even more dramatic for some of our member associations. We fear that some organizations will have to close in the coming year. The situation is even more serious in the rest of Canada because the provincial and territorial governments, unlike Quebec, do not fund advocacy groups.
In closing, the FFQ has a number of questions. How does Status of Women Canada intend to use the comparative gender analysis to ensure a liaison and effect change within the other federal departments? There was to be a five-year action plan in 2006 to identify the government's status of women priorities. Where is the plan and ??? identify the government's status of women priorities? Where is the plan and what are the priorities? How will Status of Women Canada act as the leader and coordinator with provincial and territorial governments? What does Status of Women Canada intend to do to maintain its leadership and promote women's equality at the UN, within the Commonwealth, at the Francophonie and the Organization of American States?
We believe that, with these cuts, the minister is jeopardizing her department while undermining the equality of all Canadian women. We hope that the government will change its mind.
Thank you very much.