Status of Women committee  It's hard to respond without asking a question.

Status of Women committee  We're currently working on women's economic and social justice and, more specifically, wanting to look at alternative models and approaches as to what women are doing in different communities to address economic and social justice, and also looking at the issues of intersectionality.

Status of Women committee  The shadow reports put together by FAFIA with the information from a wide number of women's groups and presented to the United Nations would never happen.

Status of Women committee  Definitely. I think the unit has been merged. When you cut 50% of the staff who were supposed to be providing leadership to the other ministries in this area, how could it not be affected?

Status of Women committee  As I read the new guidelines, there is a very strong local push. A number of us here are national organizations, so I really see it as a way of squeezing the national organizations. I really don't see within those guidelines an openness to discussing systemic discrimination, and that is part of what we do.

Status of Women committee  With respect to projects and the information sheets that we have provided over the years, many groups use these sheets, including police officers in Calgary and a national association of Canadian priests. This information is necessary and it is provided in a way that is accessible.

Status of Women committee  It's clear that, given that we do research, it would no longer be eligible under the current criteria. Before we go further, I would like your confirmation that the $10.2 million to the women's program will now be $15 million. Is that what you're saying?

Status of Women committee  I can't ask questions.

Status of Women committee  It's a one-way street, I'm afraid.

Status of Women committee  Okay, right. We've actually done the calculations, and that $10.8 million, although it might sound big, is basically 52¢ per woman and girl child per year--less than a cup of coffee--that the women's program invests in women. I think that's important. It's clear that we will not receive funding from the women's program.

Status of Women committee  Thanks. I'm from the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women, a national non-profit bilingual organization whose work centres on providing research and tools to facilitate organizations taking action to advance social justice and equality for all women. We believe that information and knowledge are key to empowerment.