Bev Oda

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I cannot refrain from saying that the possibility of that member or her party forming government is very slim and very dim.

Let me say that we have received the information from the research done. That is why we have been able to meet and identify the two major issues facing women today. The challenges they face--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I met with women's organizations. I held round tables. I met with women who represent the francophone community and the anglophone community. I met with women right across the country and I also received input from my colleagues who speak to their--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, again, we have a member who is using this valuable time stuck on process. I will assure the House that this is the agency that is now responsible to ensure that gender-based analysis is going to be done in every department. We are going to ensure that we have the resources--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, let me assure the member opposite and all Canadians that this organization and the programs that we put forward are going to affect 100% women.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, let me assure the House that Status of Women is there to assist women and is supported by this government. The programs are directed to assist and support women. We have criteria that say--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I have indicated previously to this House, there are two programs. There is the women's community fund and the women's partnership fund.

The women's community fund is to support organizations that are working in the community in regard to proposals they put forward that will address the needs.

The partnership fund is there so that non-governmental organizations can work with other levels of government and government agencies to have a larger scope of programs, and the proposal--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, we are actually in the last stage of posting the terms and conditions and the necessary guidelines and making available the application forms. Those application forms in fact will be available on the Status of Women website for the first time--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I announced in September 2006, the terms and conditions have been amended so that the program and the support can more directly impact the lives of communities and women. They are going to support organizations that work day after day to help women in their neighbourhoods and that are going to help women with the greatest need.

Yes, we have amended the terms and conditions to make sure that--

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, the outstanding policy research fund reports that four reports have been posted at the Status of Women Canada website in recent weeks. Seven more will be posted by the end of June. The nine that are remaining require more work and will not be completed.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, the policy research fund has been ceased. The research abilities remain within Status of Women Canada and the ability for the research behind the needs of Canadian women will be done with--