Status of Women Committee on Nov. 30th, 2010

[Suzanne Clément]

Let me ask Mrs. Savoie to discuss it, since she chaired the evaluation committee.

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

All right.

[Linda Savoie]

It's a project submitted by the WinSETT Centre, which was created following a previous project when we had identified the need for a centre that specifically targets the issue of women in non-traditional jobs. The program will create complementary modules that will be integrated into local businesses.

So, rather than work only with women, we are using an approach that is a little more integrated to create partnerships with specific employers who have been involved since the beginning and who want to help women advance in non-traditional occupations in technology, engineering, and so on.

The interesting strength of this approach is that you don't work in isolation. We mentioned it earlier: despite the interest women have in working in non-traditional occupations, it is often difficult for them to stay in that setting. So, by creating a framework that will give them the support they need, among themselves but also within the companies, we hope to have more success in keeping them in those jobs. The group is asking us for relatively little money for this project, as you can see by reading the news release. They asked us for less than $200,000 for a project worth close to $1 million. The reason why it can ask us for so little money is that it has established very good partnerships with other organizations that also provide funding.

We find it reassuring because it shows that there is a strong probability that this project will continue when we are no longer a source of funding. I hope that answers your question.

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

Yes, it's great. Actually, we have talked a lot about employment of women in non-traditional occupations in recent weeks and said how important it was for them to have access to those jobs. So, it is a partnership with the employers, as well. The project also provides mentoring, if I understand it correctly. This all shows that the project is very solid, if I may say so.

[Suzanne Clément]

I would add that, during the federal-provincial-territorial ministers' meeting in June, Hon. Rona Ambrose considered it a focus area. We encouraged our colleagues in the provinces and territories to look at the initiatives taken at their level, as well. We showed that we were open to working with them to try to widen the opportunities for women in these areas. We suggested that they also look at transferred funds for labour development and whether a priority was added in the development of this program to help women in non-traditional fields.

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

Were the other levels of government open to that?

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

That's all, Mrs. Boucher.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

Thank you.

Madame Deschamps.

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

Good morning, ladies. Now it's my turn. As the song says, I'd like to talk to you of love—perhaps after a year.

In reference to a question that Mr. Cotler asked previously, I am looking at the participation of women in politics or in positions that involve more decision making, and it is still a very small percentage, even in 2010. I am sorry to see that only 34% of the seats in the Senate and 22% in the House of Commons are held by women.

If we compare ourselves to developing countries, for example, we can see that, in some African states, many more women get involved in politics. Culture might also play a part, but I feel that in our context, it is all the more difficult, given the demands that we must face.

In fact, Mr. Cotler opened the door for me in this sense; after a year, are you still able to assess whether the work of Status of Women Canada has moved forward or back? I do not claim that you can develop bills, but you can still send signals to your senior department that something isn't working or that something is working well. In my opinion, you are kind of the channel through which you can move good information in both directions.

Do you have an attentive ear in the minister's office?

[Suzanne Clément]

Of course.

It's certainly a priority for the minister to see more and more women in decision-making positions in Canada. Absolutely. We are working closely with Privy Council Office employees responsible for advising the Prime Minister's Office on appointments in council, to ensure that applications from women are submitted.

I would say that one of the most important aspects for the advancement of women in decision-making positions is to inspire confidence in them, to convince them that they are able to take on the responsibilities and, once that is done, to change things that they do not like. Once there is a critical mass, there is representation…

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

They are still in the minority in these positions. Even with pay equity, it is still clear today that women are paid less than men. So, I feel that it is difficult for a woman to assert herself in a minority environment and be able to demand the same treatment.

[Suzanne Clément]

In decision-making positions, I would say that pay equity is much more a reality. In the Public Service of Canada, for example, there is no difference between the responsibilities of men and women. There is a very high representation of women in deputy minister positions and in manager positions in the Public Service of Canada.

The representation of women can be increased. One way would be to simply encourage women to take that step, to ensure that women have the tools and networking relationships that are essential to reach the higher levels.

The old boys' network that we all know so well must be replaced with other types of networking. This is one of the initiatives, for example, that we undertook with WEConnect, which is responsible for accrediting female business owners. At the same time, within the initiative, it is important not only to accredit them, but also to create a network where women agree to help each other.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

Thank you.

I have to be really tight in order to let Ms. Mathyssen have her final round. The Conservatives won't get their second one in this round, and we need one minute for a couple of quick motions at the end.

Ms. Mathyssen.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to come back to your presentation. You mentioned that Status of Women Canada focuses a great deal of time and energy in regard to violence against women—and that's very important—and that aboriginal women continue to experience high rates of violence, homicide.... Of course, the situation is, as you point out, quite unacceptable.

We are now in the white ribbon campaign to draw attention to violence against women, and soon we'll be marking the December 6 day of mourning. All very important.

I want to go back to the question about the ballet. You indicated that a video was being used in schools. While I absolutely acknowledge the power of the arts in terms of moving society along, I just wonder, in regard to aboriginal children and aboriginal women, if you're using that in aboriginal communities and if consideration has been given in regard to how culturally appropriate it would be.

Very often the message is lost if it doesn't fit the sense of time and place and reality. If not this video, what methods are you utilizing to reach out to aboriginal communities?

[Suzanne Clément]

Thank you for the question.

No, the video was not designed to be used in any community, in particular aboriginal communities. It was very much developed in a context for Atlantic Canada. I think it has a much broader use than that, but it's not something I would necessarily use as a tool to address awareness building in aboriginal communities.

The cycle of violence is one in aboriginal communities that needs attention. We believe that working with, and raising awareness among, young boys and young girls in aboriginal communities is an extremely powerful tool to avoid violence in the future. It is one of the areas in which we hope to be working on with NWAC. There are also other organizations representing other aboriginal communities, like Pauktuutit, who are also interested in doing work in this area. We have a couple of projects just on the cusp of being announced that will definitely be in those areas as well.

I think aboriginal communities and aboriginal organizations are best placed to design the tools to raise awareness and deal with this situation. It is definitely with them that we want to work in doing this.

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

So Status of Women will be providing the support and tangible funding to work with these communities towards that?

[Suzanne Clément]

Yes, absolutely. We have a couple of examples.

[Linda Savoie]

We are already funding a number of projects. Typically, as you mentioned, aboriginal communities need to adapt the tools or approaches used so that they're culturally appropriate. For instance, in the last call for proposals, we funded the La Ronge Native Women's Council, which is focusing on allowing women to find safe and affordable housing. We are currently funding the Niagara chapter of Native Women Inc., whose focus is literacy skills. A lot of these projects are trying to address root causes of violence and are very connected to the issue of poverty and financial difficulties on any level. Moreover, Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women's Circle is also being funded for a project that addresses the issues of economic security as a means of tackling violence within their communities. So they're focusing more on education, pre-employment skills, and things of that sort.

These are just some examples. So, yes, we are working with a number of aboriginal groups right now, developing further projects, so that—

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

Thank you. That's great.

We have two quick motions. I know some people have to travel to their next committee, so these motions are for our consideration now.

Shall vote 95b, under Canadian Heritage, carry?

CANADIAN HERITAGE

Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women

Vote 95b--Operating expenditures..........$1

(Vote 95b agreed to)

[The Chair]

Shall I report the supplementary estimates to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair]

Thank you to the witnesses. Again, it's always very informative to hear from you what is happening.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

I'll take a motion to adjourn.

[Lois Brown, Conservative, Newmarket—Aurora, ON]

I move that we adjourn.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Cathy McLeod]

Thank you.

The meeting is adjourned.