Evidence of meeting #14 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was women.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:40 p.m.
President, Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women
I think all of the recommendations you've heard from us have been very comprehensive and would make a big difference.
12:40 p.m.
Liberal
12:40 p.m.
Economist, Fédération des femmes du Québec
To answer one of your questions, one study I found, which was produced for Human Resource Development Canada, shows that recent immigrants, that is, people who have been in Canada for under 10 years, have an EI accessibility rate that is 10 points lower compared to people who have been here longer.
Furthermore, the rule that should be prioritized is the one dealing with hours. Given that salary is determined on a weekly basis, the eligibility criteria should be determined in the same way. At present, there is a correlation between how much one contributes, the amount of work performed and the benefits received. I think this would help everyone across the board, all groups that are disadvantaged at this time.
12:40 p.m.
Bloc
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
Concerning your recommendations, you no doubt know that the Bloc Québécois has already taken steps in that direction, by introducing Bill C-269. In any case, there is a general consensus regarding the recommendations made to improve the system.
I brought the bill to the human resources committee for debate...
I remember taking the bill to the human resources committee, where it was introduced and debated, and I remember being stunned and shocked by the response we heard from the government, a response I had also heard in the House of Commons, namely, that changing or improving the system would encourage idleness and laziness. I wanted to share that with you.
Your recommendations are in line with that bill. As you know, we are raising the issue again with Bill C-308.
That being said, will the five weeks added by the government make the system more equitable for women?
April 2nd, 2009 / 12:40 p.m.
President, Fédération des femmes du Québec
We have been trying to show, although with too little time, that women are being discriminated against. Many women cannot access to the system, even if they have paid into it. All the better for those who can access it, but with regard to the five additional weeks, they do not solve the problem for many groups of women who are being discriminated against. This measure does not allow all those who pay into the system to access income if they experience a period of unemployment. The measure is not in line with our recommendations, because it does nothing to address discrimination against women.
12:45 p.m.
President, Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women
Absolument. I agree, it just doesn't go far enough. It's an important change, but it doesn't go nearly far enough.
Back to the question of priorities, maybe it really is about addressing the qualifications, as the sisters from Quebec have been saying. That's what we really need to look at. Make sure that women can actually get these benefits in the first place, and of course raise them as well.
12:45 p.m.
President, Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women
Maybe I could add one other thing. It's something we meant to mention before.
You need to look beyond the EI system as well. Look at, say, a child care program. The absence of a national, universally accessible, or affordable child care program is another major deterrent making it harder for women to be able to work. It impacts on their ability to qualify for employment insurance as well.
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
In my opinion, Quebec's child care and parental leave programs represent a very important way to facilitate women's access to the labour market. In terms of economic security, it establishes some degree of equity or equality.
In its current form, the employment insurance system does not really correspond to the type of jobs that women generally occupy. In my opinion, it should be updated in order to take into account the nature of their employment.
12:45 p.m.
President, Fédération des femmes du Québec
As statistics show, women are unfortunately the champions of part-time employment, even in Quebec. We must apply cross-cutting measures, but it must also be recognized that the program contains measures that discriminate against women because of their employment situation. This deficiency must be corrected. That must be a priority.
12:45 p.m.
Economist, Fédération des femmes du Québec
As for your first question, I would say that it is harder for women to qualify, but in addition, they also receive less in benefits. That is due to the fact that, even today, they still earn less and the system penalizes them because of the precarious, casual nature of the employment they occupy. The five week extension will, once again, be more beneficial to men, who tend to earn more money and whose previous employment was in sectors that tended to be relatively stable.
This measure will not be particularly beneficial for women, who have a harder time qualifying and whose salaries and benefits tend to be lower.
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Johanne Deschamps Bloc Laurentides—Labelle, QC
In closing, I have just a few words to say, since we have so little time left. I think it is very unfortunate that your funding has been cut. Expert opinions, reports and research are crucial to helping governments establish their policies. Your funding was cut because your research focuses on defending the rights of women. I think that is very sad.
Thank you.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Tilly O'Neill-Gordon Conservative Miramichi, NB
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to thank the witnesses for being with us this afternoon.
I know our government has made changes, and we are listening to the needs and requests of women. As the lady said before, we certainly haven't accomplished all that needs to be accomplished, but we are making positive changes. I know for sure that we have increased funding to women's groups for research and that women are looking forward to receiving more funds, which is what we are listening to when working. Also, our government's pre-consultation was a fine example of our government listening to Canadians, to men and women, not just men, when they went out into the communities. Everyone was invited to come out and say what they had to offer. As a result, that was a fine example of our research that led us to add the five weeks onto the end.
So when bringing our afternoon to an end, I'd like to leave on a more positive note. I'm wondering if any of you can give me some ideas and some suggestions of how this five weeks is going to help women. It can't hurt them. There have to be some ways it's going to help us.
Nancy Baroni, you mentioned adding additional weeks. How is that going to help women?
12:50 p.m.
Coordinator, Gender Budget, Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action
Certainly it's a step in the right direction.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Tilly O'Neill-Gordon Conservative Miramichi, NB
I asked about help. Can you name some ways it will help them?
12:50 p.m.
Coordinator, Gender Budget, Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action
Simply because you'd be receiving benefits for a longer period of time and you wouldn't be exhausting them so quickly. The problem is the eligibility requirement. The main concern is that--
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Tilly O'Neill-Gordon Conservative Miramichi, NB
Yes, I'm looking at that, so that's another step in the right direction.
12:50 p.m.
Coordinator, Gender Budget, Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action
Right. The five weeks, as I believe Jane Stinson has said, is a step in the right direction, but much more work needs to be done, and that is why we brought forward these recommendations. Of course, receiving benefits for a longer period of time is a benefit to those who are eligible to receive them, but--
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Tilly O'Neill-Gordon Conservative Miramichi, NB
That is what I said; it's a result of our consultation in the communities, so we are listening and trying to give more time for you to bring your thoughts forward.
I appreciate the fact that you are here today and you say we are listening, and as part of the government I'm happy to listen and to pass on your thoughts.
