House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2025, with 55% of the vote.
Status of Women March 8th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for her passion on this issue.
I am extremely proud to lead the development of a federal gender-based violence strategy. I am working closely with my provincial and territorial colleagues right now, consulting with NGOs who have spent a great amount of time working on and exploring this issue, and we should have something to talk about near June.
Status of Women March 8th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to advancing gender equality in all areas of Canadian life. The theme of International Women's Day this year is “Women's Empowerment Leads to Equality”.
I recently launched a call for proposals for projects that would increase women's participation by supporting the work of indigenous women in their communities and amplifying the voices of women working to enhance their civic and political participation.
Status of Women March 8th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, having a gender wage gap in Canada in 2016 is unacceptable. As the first commitment toward pay equity, our Prime Minister appointed a gender-balanced cabinet. We are firmly committed to a public service that reflects the diversity in society, which includes gender parity, and we have supported the appointment of a special committee on pay equity.
We will continue to lead by example and work with all members of the House and our provincial and territorial partners to close the gap.
Human Trafficking February 5th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for her concern and work on the issue of violence against women and girls.
Preventing and addressing violence against women and girls is a priority for this government. We are working with a range of key stakeholders to address this issue, including the launch of a national public inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls, developing a federal gender-violence strategy, and enhancing Canada's network of shelters and transition homes.
We are confident that this range of actions will reduce violence and end this scourge against our society.
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, one of the strengths of this government's platform is that there is not one thing that will cure the problems facing Canadians today, but a whole-of-government approach that will help alleviate some of the struggles that Canadians face. Things like affordable housing are incredibly important. Things like closing the gender wage gap are incredibly important. Things like making sure that there are employment opportunities for young people and marginalized people, things like making sure that indigenous people have an opportunity to succeed are all important and all work together.
It is an excellent question, but it is very difficult to pull the one thing, the magic bullet, out of the question.
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2016
Aside from doing a complete program review, Mr. Speaker, which of course I have not conducted, I would say that when we have a good idea that is working, it is not the intent of this government to end that good idea, but rather to build on good ideas and fill the gaps that we see. Although the hon. member speaks about the work on board diversity, last year we noticed an uptick of 2%, from 15% to 17%, of women on private boards.
We have some work to do and this government is committed to doing it.
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, we need to be looking at the barriers women face in entering politics before we set targets. When we set targets and do not consider the barriers that women face, then we are destined to fail in reaching those targets.
Therefore, the first step I would consider is really doing a fulsome analysis of what prevents women from fully taking their place in the House of Commons and other political arenas.
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, our government believes that pay equity is a fundamental human right and cannot be bargained away. We believe every working Canadian woman should be compensated in an equitable manner.
Our Prime Minister has put gender equality at the forefront of his leadership, and our federal government has an obligation to lead by example. We are committed to restoring pay equity for the federal public service, and we will begin by consulting with unions and stakeholders.
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the intent of the government is to support the motion in its entirety. The issue of pay equity is so significant and so far-reaching that it deserves a committee of its own.
On women's leadership opportunities, we can certainly look at the composition of committees and ensure that women have opportunities to lead throughout government.
Business of Supply February 2nd, 2016
Mr. Speaker, there are two parts in the answer to that excellent question.
I am working closely with all my cabinet colleagues to ensure that we use a gender-based analysis lens to the decisions we make. That would include the decisions we make around spending on infrastructure.
However, I would like to point out that there will be direct benefits of that spending, as in wages and stimulation of sectors such as construction, plumbing and all kinds of trade sectors, as well as an indirect benefit.
We know that providing affordable housing is one of the most essential components to a woman's safety and ability to improve her economic standing. In fact, in my work in my previous life, affordable housing was the foundation from which families could start to grow and change, in an intergenerational way, the trajectory of their family's economic future.