Cuts to Status of Women Canada

According to the Conservative Government, women's equality has been achieved!

Status of Women Canada (SWC) is the federal government arm responsible for promoting women's equality...at least it was until recently, when Harper's government eliminated equality from its mandate and cut $5 million out of the operating budget of $11.5 million. That means a 43% cut in operating expenses effective in the fiscal year 2007-2008.

On September 25th, the same day the $5 million cut to Status of Women Canada's operating budget was announced, the federal government announced a $13 billion surplus. According to Canada 's New Government, the cuts to SWC were part of the "fat" that needed "trimming".

On November 28, the day Status of Women Canada revealed how the 43% cut would be implemented, Bev Oda, Minister responsible for the Status of Women, stated that "We don't need to separate the men from the women in this country." She added that the entire government was responsible for the development of policies and programs that address the needs of both men and women.

There's one problem: women have not yet achieved equality in Canada . And the federal government obviously hasn't done enough to make equality a reality.

Cutting Status of Women Canada will just make it worse. It will also make the "New Government of Canada" less accountable for its poor results when it comes to women's equality.

Take action, say no to cuts at Status of Women Canada

Tell your MP you oppose the recent cuts to Status of Women Canada. Tell them why women's equality matters to you. Ask them what they are prepared to do to make this happen. Tell them you'll be watching.

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The Message:

Dear MP.

I am writing to express my disagreement with the recent decision by Harper's Conservative government to cut $5million from the operating budget of Status of Women Canada, to close 12 out of 16 regional offices, to strike out "equality" from its mandate, and to eliminate funding for women's groups who do research and advocate for change.

The cuts to Status of Women Canada, like the elimination of the Court Challenges Program, the lack of action on federal pay equity legislation, the scrapping of the federal-provincial-territorial child care agreements, to name only a few - are choices. They reflect where the government is at when it comes to women's equality.

These choices aren't my choices.

Women in Canada have not yet achieved equality. That's a fact. The federal government needs to be accountable to the women of Canada. This government has a responsibility when it comes to achieving women's equality.

As my elected representative to Parliament, I urge you to push for:

- A reversal to the $5 million cuts in funding to Status of Women Canada;
- The implementation of the recommendations of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women to strengthen Status of Women Canada and improve the Women's Program.
- A Status of Women Canada with teeth - one that will have the mandate to advocate for women's equality within and outside government, and internationally.
- The reinstatement of the Independent Policy Research Fund, a $1.2 million fund dedicated to independent research that proposes policy options for advancing women's equality.

I look forward to heaing from you on this matter of crucial importance to all women and men in Canada.

This message will be emailed to:

Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Bev Oda