Status of Women Committee on Feb. 5th, 2008

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

I would like your feedback on figures showing that in 2006, Canada was ranked 14th but is now ranked 18th, despite the willingness and efforts of many. I don't understand how that can be the case.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I know Ms. Beckton will want to add her own comments.

The fact is, however, that Canada was actually commended for its work in this area. Our ranking results from the fact that other countries took certain initiatives at the time the assessment was made, which allowed them to gain ground. That is what resulted in a change of rank for Canada. It's not that the situation in Canada worsened.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

On a point of order, Madam Chair. I want to remind members that Ms. Demers had asked that the use of BlackBerrys not be allowed when we have guests.

[La présidente, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you, Ms. Boucher.

[Maria Minna, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

I'm sorry, but if I could answer that, if it has to do with specific information relating to the specific meeting, they're not allowed to access that information. I'm sorry.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I'm sorry for that, but

but that is what was decided with Ms. Demers.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Order.

Madame Boucher, it is your turn for five minutes.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Minister, as part of a reorganization at Status of Women Canada, policy research funding was eliminated.

How, then, will Status of Women Canada's Policy Branch be able to carry out short- and long-term gender analyses? What resources are currently available to Status of Women Canada to carry out studies on the status of women, and what research is currently underway?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you very much for your question, Ms. Boucher.

Status of Women Canada is continuing to focus its expertise and knowledge transfer on support for evidence-based strategic analysis of the barriers facing women.

In addition, Status of Women Canada uses the research and statistics coming out of other government departments, including Statistics Canada, Human Resources and Social Development Canada and, of course, Health Canada.

Status of Women Canada is currently working on a gender equality indicator project, in cooperation with other departments, with a view to developing a tool that could be used all across the federal administration for evidence-based decision-making in government policy development. We are expecting to produce the first series of indicators in 2008.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Okay, Mr. Stanton, do you want to continue at this time?

[Bruce Stanton, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Yes, Madam Chair. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Madam Minister, for your presentation here this morning.

I wonder if you could elaborate further in respect of the 2007 budget, which announced upwards of $20 million for new and expanded programs to reach more communities across the country. I wonder if you could give us some specific examples of the projects these new moneys have enabled in communities to help women and the goals of Status of Women Canada.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you very much for your question, Mr. Stanton.

Approximately 60 projects were announced in the fall. Let me give you a few examples.

In New Brunswick, funding will support a project aimed at eliminating the unique barriers facing rural women who are victims of violence in a non-urban setting.

In Quebec, funding will support a project aimed at raising awareness among young women between the ages of 9 and 17 with respect to the danger of violence against women.

In Ontario, funding will support a project that will twin immigrant and refugee women with mentors, in order to facilitate their transition to full-time employment or help them start their own business.

In British Columbia, funding will support a project to address the marginalization and social exclusion of visible minority women, as well as Aboriginal women and girls.

At the national level, funding will support a number of projects, including one aimed at enhancing the financial literacy of Aboriginal women, in order to prepare them to return to their community after they have accessed accommodation services.

In Alberta, funding will support a project that will help Aboriginal women living in urban areas to improve their lives through support and mentoring activities, with a view to enhancing their economic status.

As you can see, all of these projects will help women directly, to ensure not only their own economic security, but their ability to contribute to the democratic life of this country.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

You have half a minute. If the minister can answer it in 15 seconds, that will be fine.

[Bruce Stanton, Conservative, Simcoe North, ON]

Perhaps, Minister, just because there seemed to be some confusion on the first question that committee members put this afternoon with respect to the mandate for the women's program of Status of Women Canada, could you reiterate the update that has in fact taken place with regard to the wording of that mandate?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you for your question.

The mandate is now to advance the equality of women across Canada through the improvement of their economic and social conditions and their participation in democratic life.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you, Minister.

We now go to Madam Mathyssen for five minutes.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I have a number of questions.

Minister, you referenced the meeting of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in late February of this year. I'm wondering what your plans are in regard to this meeting. As you indicated, the theme had to do with financing for gender equality.

Do you plan to attend the meeting? Just as importantly, does Status of Women Canada intend to support the participation of non-government groups?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you for your question.

As I mentioned earlier, our government is committed to promoting gender equality, both in Canada and abroad. It remains to be seen whether I will have an opportunity to attend that meeting. I would be delighted to do so. I know that Status of Women Canada has staff who are working on our involvement in various international forums. I can also say that, as the former Minister of International Cooperation, I have always considered it to be very important to ensure that women have equal opportunities, wherever they happen to live on the planet.

In closing, Ms. Beckton has just told me that she will be heading the delegation there. I think she would like to add her own comments in that regard.

[Clare Beckton]

I will be the head of the Canadian delegation for the meetings in New York. We definitely will be working with NGO groups throughout the meetings.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

So our NGO groups from Canada will be attending.

[Clare Beckton]

There are a number that have status for these meetings and they will be attending, yes.

[Irene Mathyssen, NDP, London—Fanshawe, ON]

That's very good news. I would appreciate knowing in advance who will be there, if you have that information.

[Clare Beckton]

I will see if we can find that information for you.