Evidence of meeting #33 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 organizations.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Okay, but can you explain in any way how you came to this figure of 31¢? What was it specifically that led you to come to that figure?
Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
The evaluators came to that conclusion. In the regions there was more than strictly the delivery of the program. Now we're concentrating strictly on the delivery of the program.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
I look forward to seeing that.
I have one last question.
Just before the break in December, we received information--in fact, I have a copy of the press release here--indicating that Conservative MPs were calling shelters in their ridings and telling them to apply for funding from the women's program.
It seems to me that this is most inappropriate. It smacks of influence peddling. I'm wondering, Minister, if you're as concerned about it as many of us were--certainly the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses was concerned enough to send out the press release--and I'm wondering what you've done in terms of investigating this.
Conservative
Bev Oda Conservative Durham, ON
First of all, I don't see it as a situation that needs investigating. In fact, I would encourage all members to let the organizations in their communities become aware of the opportunities that are there under the women's program and the new terms and conditions. As I indicated, you have a number of organizations that are never eligible, and would never even have considered applying to Status of Women. Consequently I would suggest that every member talk to their local organizations and work with them and identify their needs—as we do in many areas—and see if there is a program available that can help them meet their needs.
I know I do this and that my riding office does this many times on many occasions in many areas. I have environmental groups that say they want to save the marshes, etc., and it's our responsibility to see what support might be available, even informing them of government programs available to help these organizations that are doing good work in their communities.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Well, that's odd, Minister, because it seemed to be only Conservative MPs who had heard about this windfall.
Conservative
Bev Oda Conservative Durham, ON
No, Conservative MPs were as aware as any other members of the new terms and conditions.
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
Other members were not aware, Minister, and I would say to you—
Conservative
NDP
Irene Mathyssen NDP London—Fanshawe, ON
It seemed to me, Minister, you were pitting one women's group against another, and that's how the women in Canada saw it, and that's why they complained.
Conservative
Bev Oda Conservative Durham, ON
As you know, the terms and conditions were made public. There's been much discussion in the House of Commons about the new terms and conditions. All members could certainly call my office or Status of Women and ask for copies. Those terms and conditions were posted on the website as soon as they were available, so I would say the accusation or suggestion is unfounded.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Thank you, Minister.
There's a last question, and then, Minister, I'll give you time to wrap up.
Ms. Minna, you have two minutes.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
I'll be very quick.
Maybe, Madam Chair, we could ask the minister to table the letter she mentioned, which Minister Pupatello sent to her.
More importantly, the minister has said we've had advocacy for 25 years, but I don't understand how she feels that because we've had that for 25 years it's been enough, as if we've already attained every possible equality and don't need it. In the past, regarding violence against women, the only reason that men were being charged without the spouse's permission happened because of advocacy. Women were not able to do that before the advocacy. With all of the research that's been done with respect to pay equity, we still haven't attained it, and so advocacy is still needed there. There's still a lot of advocacy being done on EI stuff, on court challenges, on a whole lot of things.
So, Madam Minister, you're basically telling Canadian women that they've had 25 years and that's enough; they can't advocate any more; that's it, they've reached their limit.
Is that what you're saying?
Conservative
Bev Oda Conservative Durham, ON
The answer to that question is no. What we're saying is that taxpayers' dollars will not be spent or used to fund organizations in their advocacy activities.
Liberal
Conservative
Bev Oda Conservative Durham, ON
We have not said that no one can continue to advocate. You've identified a number of issues that many organizations will continue to advocate on.
Liberal
Maria Minna Liberal Beaches—East York, ON
Thirty seconds, okay.
Basically the minister has said no. She says they cannot be funded, and if you cannot be funded.... Most organizations do not live on thin air. In essence, advocacy is no longer going to be funded; therefore, there will be no advocacy allowed any longer, except by those who are wealthy and can get lots of money from banks, or somewhere else, I gather.
Conservative
Bev Oda Conservative Durham, ON
Ms. Minna, I know of a number of organizations that do good work in the community, whether it's advocacy or any other, and they do it through many other means. Consequently, I would suggest that there are many, many groups that advocate and get heard, and not necessarily because they're only publicly funded.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Yasmin Ratansi
Thank you, Minister.
This brings us to the end of the discussion.
What I'd like to do, Minister, is to ask if you wish to take a minute to wrap up, if there are things you haven't said but would like to say.
Also, before you start, I received a letter written by Sandra Pupatello. It's not bilingual, so we will make it available to the committee later.