Helena Guergis

[Aboriginal Affairs, June 2nd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we have had conversations about this issue a number of times.

She is talking about a program called “Sisters in Spirit”, which is funded through Status of Women Canada. It is a five-year research project. It is also an awareness campaign. This is the project that was the reason why we were able to identify the number of missing and murdered aboriginal women.

The project is not completed yet. I have made a commitment to work with the aboriginal women's association on sisters in spirit, too.

[Status of Women, May 14th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member is aware that I am in the process of developing an action plan for women and one of the pillars is in fact focused on ending violence against women.

I look forward to continuing to receive her valuable information and input in this. This is an issue that is extremely important to our government. We understand that when all of us experience violence, it is a very difficult situation and one that we must address collectively.

I am confident in saying that I do not believe there is one member in the House who would not want to see an end to the violence.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 13th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I do thank the hon. member for his very important question. Our condolences do go to the families. Again, I have met with Bev Jacobs, who is the president of the Native Women's Association, to discuss the next steps in Sisters in Spirit. I do want to commend her and all those for their courage in being a voice for those spirits who have been lost.

[Aboriginal Affairs, May 13th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member is fully aware that through Status of Women Canada and under this government's leadership, we have been funding Sisters in Spirit at $5 million, $1 million a year, that will end in 2010.

This program is focused on looking for the root causes of racialized and sexualized violence against aboriginal women. In fact, the number of women who have been identified as being lost is a direct result of the funding and the research that has been done by the Native Women's Association. I have met with Bev Jacobs on a regular basis. We are committed to developing Sisters in Spirit, too.

[Status of Women, May 7th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Richmond for her excellent work in representing immigrant women. Recent media reports underscore why we must continue to foster immigrant women's participation in all spheres of Canadian life.

This year our government, through Status of Women, is investing $1.8 million in projects that help train and mentor immigrant women and help them out of very dangerous and precarious work situations.

While our government is working hard for abused women, I find it very difficult to understand why the Ontario labour minister would in fact ignore their complaints.

[Status of Women, May 6th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the same labour standards protect all workers in Canada, whether they are foreign-born caregivers or not. If these caregivers were paid less than the Ontario minimum wage and provincial labour laws were violated, I do hope the Ontario labour minister applies provincial labour laws consistently and does not give the federal Liberals any special treatment.

For far too long, women, in particular immigrant women, have been victims. They have been afraid to fight back. Our message to them is simple: They do have rights and it does not matter who they are up against. Even if it is a member of Parliament, the government will protect them.

[Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, April 29th, 2009]

moved that Bill C-6, An Act respecting the safety of consumer products, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

[Status of Women, March 3rd, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the good work and support of the member as we develop our action plan for women's equality.

One of the pillars is economic security. Last evening I was honoured to announce a partnership project with WEConnect Canada, which is a women's business network organization that will provide market access to global supply chains for Canadian businesswomen. The supplier diversity program will provide opportunities for Canadian businesswomen to grow their businesses and succeed.

In addition, I am proud to be leading the Canadian delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

[Status of Women, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, I did in fact sit on the Status of Women committee for a couple of years. We did turn out a number of exceptional reports on gender-based analysis, so I am quite familiar with the process, as she is. She knows her question is not in line with how it works.

However, the member is very well aware of the fact that we announced an action plan working toward women's equality in budget 2008. I invited the committee members and all women in the House to participate in the development of that plan which will have three pillars: economic security, leadership, and ending violence against women.

[Status of Women, February 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the member will know that all organizations that applied for funding that have been approved or declined are in the process of being notified.

The member will also know that I rely on my officials because I believe that they are highly professional and highly skilled. They understand what the terms and the criteria are in terms of who will receive funding from either the community fund or partnerships fund, and I respect the decisions that they brought to me for my approval.