Status of Women committee  As statistics show, women are unfortunately the champions of part-time employment, even in Quebec. We must apply cross-cutting measures, but it must also be recognized that the program contains measures that discriminate against women because of their employment situation. This d

Status of Women committee  We have been trying to show, although with too little time, that women are being discriminated against. Many women cannot access to the system, even if they have paid into it. All the better for those who can access it, but with regard to the five additional weeks, they do not so

Status of Women committee  Okay. I would simply like to point out that maternity or parental benefits are certainly a step forward for Canadians. As you know, we have had a parental insurance plan in Quebec since 2006. We recommend that the current system be improved and modelled after what Quebec is doing

Status of Women committee  Two organizations have been grouped together, CIAFT and the Fédération des femmes du Québec. I will now address the crux of the matter.

Status of Women committee  That said, the paper we presented has six themes. We will begin by looking at the eligibility criteria, the average weekly income and the NERE rule, which, we think, contains measures that discriminate against women. We will then present some recommendations. We would also like t

Finance committee  You are absolutely right. Pay equity is a matter of fundamental justice for all Canadian and Quebec women. I cannot speak to the laws of Manitoba or Ontario, since I am not an expert. However, I can tell you that the proactive legislation on pay equity in Quebec, which we passed

Finance committee  I would say that it's both. First of all, the government says that we need a budget that allows for quick action and job creation. However, when they create jobs by way of infrastructure programs—which can be a good strategy—for the most part, the jobs are for men. You may say th

Finance committee  It is totally unjustifiable, since all the figures show that systemic discrimination against women does exist. It is high time that women see some progress made. So, we need proactive legislation. But part 11 in its current form certainly will not bring about progress. Women will

Finance committee  They are completely different. In Quebec, the Loi sur l'équité salariale is supported by the Commission sur l'équité salariale. After having gone through procedures as prescribed by the legislation—I will spare you all the technical terms—if working women are not satisfied with t

Finance committee  Good morning. Thank you for your invitation. I wish to begin my presentation with an important reminder. I wish to remind you that Canada signed on to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women on July 17, 1980, and ratified that convention on

Finance committee  Yes. Obviously, we wouldn't want the money paid for social housing to go into Quebec's Consolidated Revenue Fund. Our movement, which is a social movement, works with groups that work for the development of social housing. Consequently, when, in our brief, we request $2 billion

Finance committee  It seems a long list, but when you defend women's living and working conditions, you can't stick to just one aspect. The fact that there has been a 50% increase in the Status of Women Canada budget for projects that women's groups may present could meet some requests. The centra

Finance committee  Yes.

Finance committee  But by closing how many offices across Canada?

Finance committee  That's very good. Services are always important. But you'll understand that you also have to go to the source of problems and see whether collectively we can make decisions, amend legislation and change criteria. We said that employment insurance is discriminatory. You have to be