Evidence of meeting #35 for Status of Women in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was gba.
A video is available from Parliament.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
When we identify best practices through this process with the departments implementing it, when it goes well, are we collecting the best practices under your portfolio or within departments? How are we spreading this information between different departments?
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
We have a number of case studies. When things go well, or when we can use a case study to illustrate why gender-based analysis is good not just for women but also business, this is one of the things that I think are very compelling. We can actually demonstrate that not only does this have a good impact on Canadian women and girls, whatever the case might be, but the department that does this might also be able to save money for the government. They might be able to do things more efficiently and they might be able to reach different populations that they haven't been able to reach.
I think those are the kinds of things that are really starting to inspire my colleagues. We've moved away from this as being solely what is a human right. It undeniably is a human right that we have gender equality, but this is also good for business. This is good for Canada. This is good for achieving the goals that we've each set for ourselves and our departments.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
I couldn't agree more. I think it's the right thing to do but also the wise thing to do.
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Sean Fraser Liberal Central Nova, NS
On that, I'd like to pick up on where you left off with Ms. Vandenbeld's questioning. You were discussing new infrastructure projects or other public procurement projects and how we'll be analyzing things through a workforce composition lens. I didn't think you got the opportunity to finish that thought, and it's one of the things I'm most interested in. What are we doing to measure the gender composition of the workforce?
4:05 p.m.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
We do have statistics on the gender breakdown in the workforce. Of course, one of our concerns is how to make sure that women will benefit to a degree that's at least somewhat similar to men in terms of some of the infrastructure spends. We know that women dominate the administrative end of the construction trade but not necessarily the trades.
You can't think of any one of these actions as being the silver bullet to end inequity, but at least we could be thoughtful about it. For example, we could work through procurement to have criteria that companies could be assessed on. One of the criteria points might be whether or not they have policies on gender equity. We can start to actually drive companies to think about gender equality through the way we're assessing procurement criteria. In terms of STEM trades, can we work more closely with, for example, unions and groups that are working on improving the number of women in trades so that they can benefit from some of the spending as well?
None of this, of course, can happen overnight. To go back to the culture shift, it does take time to turn a boat around. We're talking about a country that has not considered the needs of women for, well, time immemorial. We are actually trying to change the way we do business. I'm very excited about the enthusiasm and the willingness of my colleagues to put into place practical applications where we can influence, where we can as a federal government, even the considerations of the private sector.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Thank you very much.
Thank you for being with us today, Patty.
My first question has to do with the events that took place just this weekend with regard to the passing of Fidel Castro. Now, as you know, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Fidel Castro was a “remarkable leader” and a “legendary revolutionary”.
Let me also fill you in on a few statistics. Under Fidel Castro, 1.5 million people were exiled and 582 were killed by a firing squad. Gays were rounded up for “re-education”. He consistently mistreated—
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Marilyn Gladu
Excuse me. Just hang on a second.
I have a point order from Ms. Damoff.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
I just don't see how this fits in with estimates or GBA+. We're going down a very strange path here.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Sure.
We're talking about a leader who clearly supported violence against women and violence against the QLGBT community, yet was responded to as a remarkable leader or revolutionary. Given that we, as a country, are trying to lead in GBA+ and are trying to set a new standard, do you agree with the Prime Minister's words?
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
I think our government has been very clear that the only way we make progress in the sense of being an international citizen is by dialogue and relationships. I firmly stand by the Prime Minister's belief that in order to actually support change, whether it's human rights or economic change or increased geopolitical stability, we need to have conversations with countries.
We also need to have to conversations with countries that are, quite frankly, sometimes very difficult. It's been my privilege to learn how to do that, because it is delicate. It is very complicated. There are times—
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I'm sorry, would you stand with the Prime Minister for his speech and would you say that his words help reinforce GBA+ both in our country and abroad?
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
I think the Prime Minister was not specifically speaking about GBA+. I'm happy to take a question about GBA+.
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Patty Hajdu Liberal Thunder Bay—Superior North, ON
If you're asking me about how we feel about international relationships, I can tell you we believe that when we talk to countries and when we work with countries we have an opportunity to support democratic and human rights across the world. I'm very proud of that.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Liberal
Pam Damoff Liberal Oakville North—Burlington, ON
It depends if we're continuing down this line, because this has nothing to do with why we have the minister here today.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Marilyn Gladu
All right. Please direct your questions to GBA+ and the supplementary estimates.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Sure. With all due respect, it had everything to do with GBA+ because we're talking about our country and the standard we're setting here within our own country. If we're going to stand behind the dictatorial actions of Fidel Castro, it doesn't help reinforce that.