Bev Oda

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I have to say that we know the difference between advocacy and having supportive organizations that are going to be there for women who are fleeing abusive situations. We are also supporting programs that are going to show them they do have the option of leaving abusive situations.

Advocacy did not make an iota of difference in their lives. Many of them were forced to stay in those situations. Now we have help. They are in the community--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I will repeat that we are in the final stages of making sure that the guidelines and application forms are going to be available. It will be very soon. In fact, the guidelines and application forms will be available on the website of Status of Women. For the first time they will be accessible.

As I say, that information will be made public imminently.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as you know, there is a process by which moneys are forwarded and the requirements will be met. We are receiving applications now under the new terms and conditions and those applications are being reviewed and approvals and announcements are being made.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, we have recognized the work of the Famous Five and in fact we are benefiting from the work they did.

I point out to the House that the Famous Five and the many women who followed them that made major steps in making Canada the great country that it is did not do it based on tax dollars.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I indicated, the government undertakes its responsibilities.

We have combined the sixth and seventh reports on the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, CEDAW, which has been recently submitted to the United Nations.

In fact, we are aware that the ministerial meetings are upcoming. We are also making sure that we are aware of all the other international gatherings that will be coming up.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, the government responds in a fashion that meets its requirements. Together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, we are responding to every UN report that we are obligated--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I indicated earlier, the government believes that when we have a law, we enforce the law, and we implement the law. That is our first order of responsibility. That is what we are doing.

I do not understand members opposite when they say that we can have as many laws as we want, but it does not matter if they are implemented or how they are enforced.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as the member knows, pay equity is under the responsibility of the Minister of Labour.

However, let me assure the House that we support him in his work. He has now added 100 new inspectors to ensure that the current pay equity laws are being enforced and implemented.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, in our consultations and in our consideration of the changes to Status of Women, we decided deliberately not to play politics with women. That is why we are not just addressing organizations and friends of the Liberals, the political partisan views, et cetera. We have listened to everyone.

In fact, there were organizations which under the previous government were never invited to provide input to the government on its women's policies.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, it was after consultation, after asking the Status of Women staff and their management group, and after consulting with my colleagues and receiving input from cabinet that this government made the--