Status of Women Committee on April 3rd, 2008

[Prof. Marilyn Rubin]

I think the fact that you're holding these hearings is a wonderful example of the mindset that's now in the Canadian Parliament. It's certainly far ahead of what's happening in the United States on the federal level.

I agree with Janet. It is critical for there to be a close relationship with elected leaders, political leaders, and grassroots. Experience has shown that one cannot do it alone.

You're all familiar with the initiative in Australia, which was always given as one of the primary examples of gender budgeting. Of course, for a while there was political will but the grassroots people were not involved. Yet, in other places you see the opposite. I think what Janet said is critical: looking at international experience is seeing what's worked and what hasn't.

My last comment is that a lot of what we've seen in gender budgeting is really just gender budgeting initiatives. Gender budgeting has been slow to take hold within governments. A lot of steps have been taken, but we're still waiting for gender budgeting to become something that's done as a matter of course when budgets are put together.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you both. We would like to share best practices and whatever you have.

Janet, I think you talked about the grassroots women's organizations that are going to participate in the local budget processes. If you could, send us some information on how the voice of experience is going to be successful.

In Britain there was an analysis that violence against women costs the treasury...how much?

[Janet Veitch]

It's 24 billion pounds sterling.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

We would appreciate that information as well.

[Janet Veitch]

I will send it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

On behalf of the committee, I'd like to thank you for your excellent presentations and for being here to share your knowledge with us.

[Janet Veitch]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Because we have video conferencing, we do not have to suspend the meeting, but I'll bring the gavel down to suspend the meeting and then to start it again.

The clerks have given you a gender-based analysis in the central agency and a gender-based analysis of the federal budget. The summary of evidence was provided to each of you electronically on April 2, 2008. You have an updated version of the work plan.

As the Standing Committee on the Status of Women, we have been studying gender budgeting. We had advised the clerk and the analyst to find witnesses and to make necessary amendments if they did not find witnesses.

Please review this material. Other changes have already come to our attention. On April 10, the Assembly of First Nations Women's Council would like to appear on culturally relevant gender-based analysis. Since neither Caroline Moser or Dr. Jyoti Tuladhar have confirmed, we might be able to put them in.

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

I'm sorry, who were they again, Madam Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

The Assembly of First Nations Women's Council.

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

Okay.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

For April 10, there are two people who have not confirmed yet.

As we move into May, we will need suggested witnesses for the work plan. Supply us with a list of witnesses as we move forward. If there's any need for clarification, advise us.

We now have a motion that we're going to deal with.

Yes, Madame Boucher.

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

On April 15, why is Nancy Peckford not there with Rob Wright from Finance Canada?

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Ms. Peckford is not an economist. She is....

[Anita Neville, Liberal, Winnipeg South Centre, MB]

An advocate.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

She is an advocate, so that's why she has been looking at witnesses. The two economists have been asked to come, but if you want Nancy Peckford to come, we will invite her.

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

I'd like to have another view, yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Sure. We will invite her for April 15.

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

For April 15.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

And if you want to propose a different witness, you are more than welcome to propose any witnesses.

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

Sometimes I like to have the

women from Quebec. I said at the outset that I would like to meet the people from the provincial government. It would be good to hear from Nancy Peckford on April 15, since she has always accompanied the other two witnesses.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

We will.

Does anybody have an objection to Nancy Peckford?

Do you have any other witnesses in mind, as long as we can keep them to a reasonable limit? Please send your list to the clerk at the earliest, so they can be invited.

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

It's very important. I will send a list to the clerk.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Okay. There is a motion before us.

Ms. Minna, I think you wanted to advise us that your motion can be postponed?

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

No. Madam Chair, you suggested at the last meeting that my motion with respect to the commissioner should wait until we have the Auditor General come before us. When is that?