Thank you, Madam Chair and committee members.
Thank you for the opportunity and the invitation to present the views of YWCA Canada on the two areas identified specifically as the potential impact of recent funding cuts and the program changes at Status of Women Canada.
My presence here today is an indication of the level of importance YWCA Canada places on the issues at hand, particularly considering the wide-reaching impact on women in Canada.
Let me preface my comments by providing some historical context and background to the YWCA. Since 1871, the YWCA has been providing programs and services to women, girls, and their families in Canada. Our history here began when Mrs. Hoodless recognized that unpasteurized milk was the cause of her child's illness and eventual death. She took the initiative to lobby the authorities of the day to ensure that no other children would become ill from milk. Today, her contributions in this area continue to live on in the spirit of the YWCA.
I share this small bit of history with you to make an obvious but important point: our 135-year history is founded not only on responding to the program and service needs of women; the importance of advocacy and research formed a critical part of our history, and still does today.
In 2006, the need to advocate for women's equality remains an important priority for the YWCA. In fact, it is integral to our mission, which is to be a voice for equality and a strong voice for women. As we move forward in a new strategic vision, public policy and advocacy form a significant part of our focus over the next four years.
So why this focus? If for no other reason but to bring attention and voice to the issues and barriers faced by ordinary women right across Canada. As the country's largest multiservice national women's organization, the YWCA provides programs and services to over one million women, girls, and their families in over 200 communities across Canada. We know of what we speak, and speak we must.
Thus comes our need to raise our collective voice with other national and regional women's organizations to emphasize the point that the cuts to Status of Women Canada and the regional offices are already having a negative impact on our ability to serve women with proven best practice models.
Specifically, I can mention our recent release of effective practices in sheltering women fleeing violence, which is the second phase of this project. It is unfortunate that as we were about to launch into phase 3 of the shelter study, the project as designed no longer qualifies under the new terms and conditions. Despite the incredible work completed over the past three years, we are now in a state of limbo and great uncertainty in continuing this critical work to effectively respond to violence against women and in seeking ways to work collaboratively and in partnership with government and community stakeholders.
Phase 2 was successfully approached in this collaborative manner, and thus deals with critical information from 368 women residing in 10 shelters across the country. In this landmark study, shelter residents and providers responded openly to queries regarding service quality, client needs, and identified gaps.
It is difficult to imagine a better way for the government of the day to demonstrate democracy in action, particularly as it relates to issues impacting women's equality. This and other similar initiatives are demonstrable examples of government and community effectively working collaboratively to improve, and in some cases save, the lives of ordinary Canadian women.
Thus we cannot underestimate the impact and importance of research and advocacy as they relate to service provision to women on the ground. As mentioned previously, the YWCA has been delivering these very services for over 130 years. Our success is due to our persistence in pursuit of women's and girls' equality, as reflected in these principles and commitment in our programs and services.
In conclusion, I urge you to reinstate if not strengthen the principles and commitments of equality and advocacy in the terms and conditions, and to reverse the cuts to Status of Women Canada and the regional offices across the country, thus re-invoking the practice and spirit of partnership that has led to advancing women's equality in Canada.
In 2006, we cannot afford to lose the ground we have gained, only to see these gains eroded due to misplaced ideological beliefs. Canadian women and girls deserve better.
Thank you.