Liberals are still working, even during the Olympics, by hosting a roundtable with women’s groups in the riding of Minister of State for the Status of Women, Helena Guergis to draw attention to her government’s failures in closing the gender gap in Canada.
“Today, women’s and labour groups released a report telling the United Nations that the push for women’s equality in Canada has stalled or regressed in many areas under the Harper government,” said Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville, who is co-hosting the forum.
“Ms. Guergis and her government have not kept its promises to women, and inequality has gotten worse for women in this country as a result. Canada is now ranked 25th in the world in terms of participation of women in economic and political life. The Harper government continues to fail the needs of Canadian women.”
In a recent report to the United Nations, the Harper government boasted about its record in improving women’s equality in Canada, but the truth is quite different according to women’s organizations. According to a submission made to the UN by the Canadian Labour Congress and other women’s groups, “there has been a systematic erosion of the human rights of women and girls in Canada” under the Harper government. (Canadian Press, Feb. 22, 2010)
On Monday, Ms. Neville and Simcoe-Grey Liberal candidate Andrea Matrosovs are meeting with community leaders to discuss the economic, health and safety, and equality challenges women face today, while also drawing attention to the Harper government’s ongoing attacks on women rights and services.
“Minister Guergis spent last week travelling through Atlantic Canada to hand out cheques to women’s groups, and while we’re thrilled that these worthy projects are finally getting the funding they deserve, we question why they had to wait so long?” asked Ms. Neville.
“Women’s groups have waited a full year for funding, and two years for the government’s so-called ‘Action Plan’ to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions and their participation in democratic life.”
“The Conservative government’s regressive actions – and, in some cases, inaction – means there are still too many women in Canada living in poverty, earning less than their male colleagues and unable to fully participate in their communities,” said Ms. Neville.
Monday’s roundtable is just one of several that Liberals have been hosting to address the challenges facing women. Ms. Neville, along with Liberal Justice Critic Dominic Leblanc, also hosted a very successful meeting in Winnipeg last week to discuss strategies to tackle the issue of violence against women.
Last month, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff hosted a forum on women’s issues with some of Canada’s leading women advocates to discuss concrete solutions for a range of issues women face.
And to address the issue of women’s equality, Mr. Ignatieff tabled a private member’s bill late last year that calls on the Harper government to repeal the flawed pay equity measures included in the 2009 budget implementation act, and to enact a truly proactive system.
“The Liberal Party is working with women to address the obstacles that prevent many of them from participating fully in the economic and social life of this country,” said Ms. Neville.
View highlights from last month’s forum on women’s issues: http://www.youtube.com/user/liberalvideo#p/u/8/MNuxPd1xs8o
