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Liberal Women’s Caucus recommends policies for economic and social equality in Pink Book, Volume III
October 21, 2009
Liberal Women’s Caucus recommends policies for economic and social equality in Pink Book, Volume III
OTTAWA – The Liberal Women’s Caucus today released the third volume of its “Pink Book” – its Action Plan for Canadian Women that outlines the Liberal approach for a compassionate Canada where women can achieve economic and social equality. -30- BACKGROUND In November 2006, The Pink Book: A Framework for Canada’s Future, Volume I, recommended a series of policies to deal with the most pressing social and economic issues facing women in Canada, particularly working women and their families, caregivers and seniors. FACTS ON CANADIAN WOMEN • Women make up a disproportionate share of low-income Canadians. Seniors, Aboriginal and immigrant women are among the most affected. Single-parent families headed by women have – by far – the lowest incomes of all.
“The Pink Book isn’t just a frank account of the status of women in Canada – it is a clear statement of principle that we want a Canada that provides a strong, secure future for all Canadians,” said Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff.
“The Pink Book offers hope for change, and concrete proposals on some of the most challenging issues women across Canada are facing. I’m grateful for the work of the National Liberal Women’s Caucus, which has done so much to advocate for Canadian women.”
National Liberal Women’s Caucus Chair Maria Minna said the Pink Book is about compassion and opportunity for all women.
“There is still much to be done to close this gender gap and bring about true economic and social equality. The Pink Book tries to take us there,” said Ms. Minna. “Women in Canada still earn just 70 per cent of what their male colleagues make, regardless of education level. They make up a disproportionate share of low-income Canadians, particularly Aboriginal women, women with disabilities and immigrant and refugee women.”
Liberal Status of Women Critic Anita Neville said since 2006, Stephen Harper has done nothing but undermine the advancement of women.
His government cancelled early learning and child care agreements with the provinces, denied real pay equity, eliminated the Court Challenges Program, cut funding for literacy programs, silenced women’s equality-seeking groups and ignored the criticism of international bodies.
“Stephen Harper even called those who would fight for equality through programs like the Court Challenges program ‘left-wing fringe groups,’” she said. “To Liberals, women are not and could never be considered a special interest group. Women are half the population of this country, and they deserve better.”
Mr. Ignatieff said while the Conservatives have been spending wildly to get themselves re-elected, they’ve deliberately left women out.
“They’ve forgotten about women. There were no programs aimed directly at women in the 2009 Budget – only attacks on pay equity. Women are less likely to benefit from the stimulus dollars going out to infrastructure projects in Conservative ridings. Social infrastructure – child care, health care, home care – has been ignored.
“A Liberal government will make strategic investments in Canada’s social infrastructure in order to secure our future. This isn’t just good for women, this isn’t just good for families – this is smart policy for Canada,” he concluded.
In December 2007, The Pink Book: A Policy Framework for Canada’s Future, Volume II, responded to concerns about violence against women, housing, Aboriginal women, immigrant and refugee women and rural women.
Today’s release – The Pink Book, An Action Plan for Canadian Women, Volume III – is a series of policy recommendations in three areas:
Women and the Economy - The Pink Book recommends more than 15 measures, including:
• enacting a truly proactive pay equity system;
• building a system of affordable, accessible and high-quality early learning and child care across the country, including programs to meet the unique needs of rural families;
• adopting a federal poverty reduction strategy to deal with the persistent problem of poverty among women.
Women's Health and Safety – The Pink Book recommends more than a dozen measures, including:
• developing a national care-giving strategy;
• implementing a long-term strategy to ensure there are enough health professionals, including Aboriginal health care professionals, to serve all Canadians properly;
• developing a national action plan to combat violence against women that includes increased sustainable financial support for transition houses; second-stage housing units and safe shelters for homeless women; and a public awareness campaign to highlight the magnitude of the problem.
Women’s Equality – The Pink Book recommends six measures, including:
• establishing the office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality, who would present an annual report to Parliament to ensure that legislation and policies of the Government of Canada are examined with an equality lens;
• conducting gender-based analyses (GBA) of all federal government legislation and policies, including international policies, to determine how public policies differentially affect women and men;
• establishing an accountable and transparent mechanism to monitor the implementation of Canada’s international human rights obligations.
• Regardless of education, women still earn less than men. In 2003, women with full-time jobs earned only 70 per cent of their male colleagues at all education levels.
• Women make up seven out of 10 part-time employees, have fewer benefits, and are often responsible for care-giving of children and elderly parents – all of which makes them more financially vulnerable during the economic decline.
• Women spend nearly double the amount of time each day as men engaged in unpaid work (4.3 vs. 2.5 hours).
• They juggle work and care-giving to children and elders, but we do not do nearly enough to support these efforts – particularly as we face an aging population.
• Violence against women – particularly Aboriginal women – is a continuing threat to the safety and well-being of women. More than 500 Aboriginal women and girls have gone missing or murdered in Canada, and still the Harper Conservatives refuse to undertake an inquiry and help prevent more victims of violence
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