Status of Women Committee on April 29th, 2008

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Welcome to this session of the status of women committee. With us we have the minister, the Honourable Josée Verner, and from Status of Women Canada, Ms. Beckton and Nanci-Jean Waugh.

Since the minister has a very limited time--she's here with us for an hour--I would like her to make any remarks she wishes. Minister, the normal procedure is to allow 10 minutes for remarks and then there'll be Q and A with the members.

Minister, the floor is yours.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee members, I am pleased to be here to outline the Government of Canada's plans and progress in promoting equality for women and their full participation in Canadian society.

I am accompanied by Clare Beckton, Coordinator of Status of Women Canada, and Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Strategic Planning.

I understand the committee has been studying gender-based budgets for the last few months and has been hearing from a wide range of experts. I look forward to your report and assure you that the Government of Canada will continue its efforts in this area.

Canada's prosperity depends on the economic prosperity of women, who in turn influence the prosperity of their families and their communities. If Canada is to continue to be one of the most prosperous countries in the world, women must be able to participate in, contribute to, and experience economic prosperity.

Our government is committed to promoting equality for women. Our goal is to have a direct impact on people's lives and to achieve real, measurable results that work for every citizen, women and men alike.

The recent budget focuses on providing responsible leadership so we can build on Canada's strong economy—the strongest of any Group of Seven country—by implementing our economic plan, Advantage Canada. In fulfilling this vision, we count women in. That is why we anounced, in Budget 2008, that over the next year, our government will develop an action plan for women. We will work with Status of Women Canada and other departments and agencies across the federal government. This action plan will further women's equality throughout Canada by improving their economic and social conditions and their participation in democratic life.

The create the best possible action plan, we will consult with leaders across all sectors of society, with women's organizations and with communities of all kinds in all parts of Canada. We will also make strategic investments in key federal programs and services to promote women's participation.

In addition—and this is critical to our goal—we will work to promote women's economic success by enhancing their financial and economic literacy.

This is especially important because during the next two decades, the ratio of older persons to active workers in Canada will increase by 20%. Most of those active workers will be women. Increasingly, Canada will have to look to women to fill the gap in the labour force. As a result, there will be more opportunities for women. Women need to have the education and skills necessary to seize the day.

Investing in women is investing in Canada. As a recent Royal Bank of Canada report noted, "If women had identical labour market opportunities as men, then women's personal incomes would be $168 billion higher each year."

As the engine of our federal women's machinery, Status of Women Canada fulfill its mandate in two ways: by building strategic partnerships at the federal level, with other levels of government, and international bodies, to remove barriers and build women's participation; and by funding projects through the Women's Program, as well as through the Sisters in Spirit initiative addressing equality issue pertaining to aboriginal women.

I am very pleased with the results of the Women's Program. It is functioning as an effective, focused and results-driven program, thanks in large part to our decision to restructure it into two new components, the Women's Community Fund and the Women's Partnership Fund.

Over the last year, 181 projects received funding under the Women's Community Fund and the Women's Partnership Fund for a total dollar value of $33,993,843 over three years. Impacting over 1.5 million women and girls through the projects funded, organizations are carrying out work in educating women on violence prevention, building women's financial literacy, encouraging networking, promoting women's economic security, prosperity, health, and safety, and ending all forms of discrimination and violence against women.

Over the past months, my colleagues and I have traveled from coast to coast to coast to meet the representatives of these organizations, and to hear first hand how their work changes the lives of women, their families and their communities.

The national Sisters in Spirit campaign is bringing public attention to the high rates of violence against aboriginal women. The campaign has developed the following: a community awareness strategy to promote safety and zero tolerance for violence against aboriginal women; a culturally appropriate gender-based policy framework for action at community level; and case studies to determine the root causes, trends and gaps in services as they relate to the disappearance and murder of aboriginal women.

In the coming months, Status of Women Canada and the Native Women's Association of Canada will engage other departments and provincial and territorial partners to improve program and policy areas at the root of aboriginal women's social and economic status.

Status of Women Canada continues to fulfill the role it plays in Canada's commitment to meeting international obligations for advancing gender equality.

The 52^nd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from February 25 to March 7, under the theme "Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women." Canada reported on the progress our government has made, particularly increased funding to the Women's Program, and our commitment to create an action plan to advance equality for women across the country, through the improvement of their economic and social conditions and their participation in democratic life.

We are now looking ahead to two key international meetings—the 13^th Women Leaders' Network Meeting and the Meeting of Gender Focal Point Network of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, to be held in Peru in May.

In the follow-up to last June's National Aboriginal Women's Summit, these actions are underway. In March, Status of Women Canada hosted a workshop for aboriginal organizations geared toward developing culturally relevant gender-based analysis tools.

A meeting is being planned between the National Association of Chiefs of Police and representatives of aboriginal organizations for the purpose of adapting police training concerning the treatment of aboriginal women and girls.

We supported a violence prevention toolkit for youth, which would see training for more aboriginal youth across Canada.

An RCMP-led initiative was set up to train law enforcement officers on identifying and investigating human trafficking, with a focus on victim issues and the vulnerability of aboriginal women.

In closing, let me reiterate that more than ever before, Canada will need the contributions and participation of women at all levels of society, including in positions of leadership.

In developing our action plan, we know women will rise to the challenge. Indeed, they are doing so now. Our government is supporting women's participation through effective, results-focused action. To make Canada the best it can be, it makes good sense for all Canadians, women and men alike, to enjoy an open-door policy on opportunity.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Thank you, Minister.

Ms. Minna.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I have a series of questions. The first one has to do with pages 4 and 5 of the estimates. It shows that the women's program is going to be going down by, I think, $3 million. Could you tell me why that is?

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

Thank you for your question, Ms. Minna. Ms. Beckton will complete my answer.

The budget has not gone down. Our government has committed to investing more in the programs at Status of Women Canada, namely $20 million over two years. Ms. Beckton can give you the breakdown of that amount.

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

I'm sorry, Minister. I'm talking about page 4. It explicitly shows that it goes down by $3 million. I'm looking at the women's program, supplementary estimates (B), from $2.9 million to $4.9 million. Then it goes on—$30.8 million to $30.1 million.

[Clare Beckton, Coordinator, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada]

Perhaps I can explain that. Not all of the money is reflected in the main estimates. Some of our money was received through supplementary estimates (B) last year, and this has to be resupplied through supplementary estimates (A) this year before it will be reflected in our budget. But in fact, the budget, on an ongoing basis, is $19 million for the women's program, with the two funds.

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

What is the overall budget for the Status of Women right now?

[Clare Beckton]

The overall budget from year to year will be approximately $29 million. There will be a bit of an aberration this year because we did re-profile some funds from this year to next year because of the late supply last year.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

If I can help you out, go to page 5: $31.7 million, $29.7 million, and $28.7 million. There is a gradual decline. So that's where Ms. Minna is coming from.

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

That's right.

[Clare Beckton]

Yes. The decline is because we have re-profiled some money from last year to this year, so it looks higher this year.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

Ms. Minna's complementary question is, what does that mean?

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

You said you had re-profiled some moneys. What does it mean exactly to re-profile money?

[Clare Beckton]

It means that because our supply for the women's program, the second $5 million, came in only in March approximately, we asked the Treasury Board to actually give us the extra money for this year instead of giving us all of the money last year. So it means we actually have more money for the women's program to ensure that we could spend the money.

Re-profiling simply means we had $5 million in supplementary estimates (B), and we asked that $2 million of that be re-profiled to this year to ensure that we could spend the money in time. So it means that the budget will be higher this year, and then the normal budget will be $29 million ongoing.

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

I thank you, Madam Chair.

Minister, you have a number of upcoming international events that are taking place, but I hope there will be political representation at those, as there was none at the UN. I wonder why there was none at the UN. Perhaps you could explain why we had no political representation at the United Nations, and I hope there will be at APEC and these others.

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

Thank you for your question.

As I said in my opening statement, the meeting was held from February 27 to the beginning of March. May I remind you that the budget was tabled in the House during that time and the presence of ministers and members was required.

As for upcoming meetings, which will take place in May, the same issue arises. It is not that we are not interested, on the contrary. Ms. Beckton and officials will be present at those meetings. We are studying the possibility of my attending in my capacity as minister, while keeping in mind the requirements of the House, of course.

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

I understand that there was a budget, Minister, but given the importance of these meetings, I think that elected representatives of all parties...I'm sure we can always identify one or two delegates to lead the delegation.

In any case, you can pick up on that in just a minute. I want to move on to something else.

I was looking at the web and the structure you have in terms of eligibility. We have seen the change where you have reintroduced the word “equality” in certain parts of the mandate, but the eligibility criterion really hasn't changed from the previous eligibility with respect to issues that affect women in particular issues of advocacy. I see that's still not a criterion that is acceptable.

The reason I raise this is that, as you have said, this committee has been looking at budgeting gender analysis and we've had some really strong experts here at this table—people who have done research and advocated with the help of Status of Women Canada and have advocated on behalf of women. We have seen from the analysis they have done just how disadvantaged women are in our society.

In the last two budgets, the analysis that was done was totally off, and in fact the majority of the actions of the government were in fact detrimental to women. So again there is nobody out there advocating. It's one thing to deal with a specific women's issue with respect to direct service, but it does not affect the overall change of women's equality.

I would like to know from you (a) why that criterion is still not changed, and (b) why we are still seeing budget items that are really skewed and hurt women in this country.

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

In fact, Ms. Minna, advocacy groups are still eligible for funding when they present programs which show direct action and concrete results for women. Status of Women Canada—

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

Madam Minister, I apologize, but I do have to interrupt.

The minister knows what I mean by my question very well. I know what she means clearly by direct service and direct results. She means serving an individual woman at the front door, dealing with that woman's specific issue. I understand that.

I am talking about a specific, different situation. I'm talking about allowing research for the purpose of advocacy, speaking on behalf of all women who need assistance and to change a condition of government policy that exists. Why is that not being allowed?

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

I will complete my answer. Advocacy groups are still eligible for funding if they present projects which meet our criteria. As you know, our government has chosen to provide women with direct services, in the interest of producing concrete results and meeting objectives. Status of Women Canada has funded advocacy groups, including the Child Care Coalition of Manitoba, the West Coast Legal Education and Action Fund and the Alliance féministe pour l'action internationale. Advocacy groups which present projects which yield concrete results for women are eligible for funding.

As for the first part of your question which dealt with upcoming activities in May, Ms. Beckton will add a few words.

[Clare Beckton]

I would say, generally, there are years when ministers attend these meetings and other years there are events that ministers don't generally attend.

In terms of the APEC meetings, I will be heading up the Canadian delegation for the Women Leaders' Network, and we will have representation at the gender focal point. Following that, there are the trade minsters meetings, which Minister Emerson will be attending. We will be feeding in the results of that to Minister Emerson, to speak at those trade ministers meetings, so that he can bring the women's issues to the table at those meetings.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yasmin Ratansi]

I guess that was not a satisfactory answer, because I can see heads shaking, but that's a position the government has taken and we will have to live with it.

Ms. Deschamps, you have four minutes.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Good morning, Madam Minister, Ms. Beckton and Ms. Waugh. It is always a pleasure to have you here.

I reread the opening statement you gave us, Madam Minister. You said that, in the coming year, your government will develop a plan of action. I would like to focus on that. It contains general principles, but in concrete terms, can you tell me what you intend to do to implement this plan of action, and which measures you will take to meet your objectives?

You claim to want to increase women's participation. In order to do this, you go so far as to say that you will consult leaders in various areas of society. I would like you to tell us who these leaders are or whom you have in mind.

You also talk about women's groups. Is it possible to know what type of people and what groups you will consult?

You also say that you will make strategic investments. What do you mean when you say: "[...] strategic investments in key federal programs and services [...]"? How will you consolidate all this to achieve concrete results?

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

Madam Deschamps, thank you for your question.

As far as developing the plan of action is concerned, we are in the process of defining the parameters we will implement. In other words, we are in the process of determining the themes and major principles. We want to consult with the greatest number of stakeholders, be they women's groups or academics, amongst others. For now, we are working on the process which will be followed.

We mention targeted investment, but I will not talk about anything more than the suggestions we might hear in the course of our consultations. For example, if we want to make sure that the program to fight violence against women is effective, we will have to invest in programs developed for women by women's groups to prevent this violence from happening. If we target the right sectors, we will make the strategic investments.

May I remind you that we have announced an additional contribution of $20 million over two years, which will help bring about many more things. In 2006, the program budget for Status of Women Canada generally did not exceed $10 million. But this year, that amount has been increased to $20 million. This will enable us to do more in areas which we have identified with women's groups.