Evidence of meeting #7 for Status of Women in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was clément.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Alice Wong Conservative Richmond, BC
Yes. What I'm saying is, if anybody challenges me, or when we clarify certain points, it is out of order—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
When that happens I will deal with it, Madam Wong.
So, please, ask your question.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Well, I don't know what record you're straightening, unless you're challenging the chair.
Conservative
Alice Wong Conservative Richmond, BC
Okay.
We have in the last few weeks studied women in non-traditional occupations and have spoken to numerous groups. Many of them have highlighted the difficulties for women and the barriers they've had not only getting in the door, but then remaining in their chosen field.
You have reached a very high-level position in what may have been considered a non-traditional occupation. Many of the women we have spoken to in the last few weeks have told us that the lack of role models and/or positive images of women in non-traditional occupations has a great influence.
Can you perhaps tell us of your own experience and how you think you can improve, and then what solutions the Status of Women Canada may bring to the problem?
Coordinator, Head of Agency, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
Yes, I have been following some of the presentations you've been receiving. They're very interesting presentations and good witnesses.
Absolutely, having role models is extraordinarily important. My first appointment as an executive in the public service was as secretary-general of the National Transportation Agency. I was 29 years old and I was the first woman to be appointed in that role. It was quite an accomplishment, but at the same time a challenge.
I know that role models are important. I think the greatest contribution it brings is that it builds that level of confidence, the self-confidence, that an individual needs to be able to take on challenges, move forward, and have the courage to go into non-traditional areas.
I was very fortunate. I had a role model when I was very young. My mother was my first role model. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and she and my father both equally owned our family businesses, which were varied, some of them in non-traditional areas. We had construction development companies and we had health services, so it was quite mixed. There was no hierarchy in their relationship. Both were workers, decision-makers, and leaders in the process. So I was raised in an environment where you never would have questioned whether you should do something because you're a woman or a man.
In terms of what we can do at Status of Women Canada in this field, I think there are quite a few things that we could embark on as an agency, and in fact I have begun some of that already.
I think we're starting to get a very good feel for the barriers. We've funded some very interesting projects at Status of Women Canada. Women Building Futures, for example, is having some great success, or CATA WIT, or the Hypatia Association. There's quite a series of projects that we're now funding to look at developing innovative ways or best approaches, best practices, to try to get more women interested in the jobs, into the jobs, and then staying in the jobs.
I think we have tools within the federal government that we can certainly improve on and work with. I think of the human resources sector councils, for example, at HRSDC. There's funding of over 30 sector councils there. When I worked there, I recall working with them very closely. They're usually very responsive to working with the government. I want to meet with them, particularly the ones that have shown a keen interest in working at improving the intake of women in their industries. The mining sector, the IT sector, the construction sector, and the environment sector are all sectors where they recognize that they need to be recruiting and retaining women within their organizations.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Madam Clément. The time is up.
I will now go to Monsieur Desnoyers.
Luc Desnoyers Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair. Welcome, Ms. Clément.
I want to begin by asking how many employees Status of Women Canada has.
Coordinator, Head of Agency, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
There are 89.
Bloc
Coordinator, Head of Agency, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
There are five people in Edmonton, five in Moncton, five in Montreal, and the rest are here, at the Ottawa office, where four or five people work solely on the Ontario region.
Bloc
Luc Desnoyers Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
I looked at your résumé and noticed that you were often involved in restructuring, reorganization and major budget cutbacks. You seem to have done quite well in all of those areas. Since you are familiar with the policy of the current Conservative government, I would like to know how you see the next two or three years at Status of Women Canada with respect to restructuring.
Coordinator, Head of Agency, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
For the time being, Mr. Desnoyers, I have no restructuring plans. Internally, we are looking at current priorities and ensuring...
Bloc
Luc Desnoyers Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
The current minister has not asked you to do any restructuring, is that right?
Coordinator, Head of Agency, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
I was not given a mandate to restructure.
Bloc
Luc Desnoyers Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
Okay, excellent.
Given your role, I would like to hear what you consider pay equity.
Coordinator, Head of Agency, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
It is ensuring that people who engage in work of similar or equal value receive similar or equal pay.
Bloc
Coordinator, Head of Agency, Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women Canada
It will certainly be a priority for my colleague at the labour department. What I mean is that we support our colleagues who have policy mandates. I know that the labour department has been working on this issue for a number of years now.
Bloc
Luc Desnoyers Bloc Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, QC
The way I see it, Status of Women Canada should have an important role in that. After all, it is an area that has allowed women to make progress over the past 50 years. I would not say that there was a major cut for federal employees, although we know there are two systems. One has been subject to cuts, and the other has not.