FEWO Committee Report

Supplementary Report from the Conservative Party of Canada

Supporting Canadian Senior Women who chose to leave the Paid Workforce to Invest in Family and Home

Introduction

During this study, the committee heard from more than fifty witnesses who each offered a perspective worthy of careful consideration. Since women do not become seniors overnight, it is of utmost importance to consider their entire life course when seeking to understand the needs of senior women. Their choices must be respected from the beginning to the end of their lives.

The Conservative members of the committee are submitting this supplementary report to draw special attention to the important contributions made by women who took time away from the paid workforce to raise children and run a household. It is important to understand both the opportunities and the challenges of this choice.

Conservatives remain dedicated to ensuring Canadians get ahead in all areas of their lives and at all points in their journey. Autonomy, choice, and freedom must always be valued and guarded.

The Opportunities

Anita Pokia, a board member at Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, commented to the members on the committee that “everything begins at home with our culture. We try hard with our language, keeping all culture, learning to sew and stuff and also, like I said, in the school. We have to teach our children, because the teaching begins at home and then it spreads out into the community.”[1] Investing in family, volunteering in community, caring for loved ones, and having social fulfillment are all opportunities that spur from women choosing to work in their home.

Ms. Lynn Lecnik, who presented to the committee as an individual, said:

“I don't need a job outside the home to participate in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada. We raise children to be leaders, to be good stewards of their finances and of the world they live in, to be active members of the society they live in and to know how they can make an impact on the law and government in Canada. The way we raise our children is a full participation in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.” [2]

For many women, there is a sense of fulfillment and pride that comes with being able to invest significant time into raising their children without needing to work outside the home. To them, nothing is more important than shaping the hearts, minds, and actions of their children.

One witness noted that her choice to be a stay-at-home mom meant she “watched [her children] grow up to become the individuals that they are today. We grew our own food and the children had to help with chores. I believe this helped to impart a sense of responsibility and an awareness of the world around them making good foundations for them to live by. On reflection it was the best choice for me.”[3]

Along with investing in their family and community, choosing to be a stay-at-home parent often provides women with a sense of voice, meaning, and significance:

“I see much value in the choice I made. Because I stayed at home, I was able to volunteer extensively. I volunteered in my children's schools, at my church, in homeless shelters and I served on the boards of directors of a number of not-for-profit organizations. I helped mobilize two churches to support refugees new to Canada. I was able to donate many hours of time and expertise to organizations and I know that I made a difference to those organizations. I currently mentor four young women, and I know that my experiences provide especially relevant support to two of them, who are stay-at-home mothers. I still volunteer in my church and at a seniors' health centre…. Most importantly, my choice enabled me to be a central influencer in the upbringing of my children.” [4]

“As my children grew older I found there were unique opportunities as a stay-at-home mom. I had found my place. Being at home was meaningful to me and I knew that there was value in what I was doing and who I was reaching.”[5]

Being able to provide care for loved ones of all ages and all backgrounds was also identified as an opportunity afforded to those who chose to take time away from the paid work force to invest in family life:

“I was not one to parent my grandchildren, but I wanted to support them and help them feel loved. We have always been there for our grandchildren, offering them love and support through the good and the bad. Even now we support our grandchildren as they raise their children…. I was not only present in my kids' lives, but also in the lives of their friends. Often over a fresh plate of cookies I would find teenagers opening up about their lives.” [6]

A number of witnesses shared about the dignity of being a stay-at-home parent. For them, this choice produced a sense of value, importance, and voice. Ms. Noskey stated that “being a stay-at-home mom was a privilege and an honour” [7] and Ms. Young shared that “no dollar value has ever been assigned to such an important and extremely significant job in this world.” [8]

The Challenges

While taking time away from the paid workforce to care for their families is extremely rewarding for many women, it can also result in a number of challenges that are experienced later on in life, when women enter into their senior years.

Many of the witnesses who testified during this study commented on the lack of economic security that stay-at-home mothers experience upon entering senior life. A number of thoughtful reflections were offered:

“Because of my late entry into the paying workforce, I have not had time to prepare adequately for retirement in terms of CPP or independent workplace retirement plans…. I have an OAS, but with my combined allowance of 30 years child-rearing and the CPP I've paid since entering the workforce, I receive less CPP than our medical coverage will be.”[9]

“As I near the end of my working career and look forward to retirement, I believe that my pension will not be sufficient to cover all living costs. It seems that choosing to be a stay-at-home mom penalized me and other women for doing the most important thing in society, which is to make certain that our children are cared for and to contribute to society in this manner.” [10]

“Little did I realize that 40 years later that my contributions to family and community would not even remotely compare monetarily to that of my husband or workplace moms.” [11]

Along with financial inequality, many women also face societal stigma for choosing to stay-at-home and invest in the emerging generation. It was pointed out that society places very little value on the choice some women make to be stay-at-home parents. Ms. Allan summarized this point well when she shared “in the eyes of society, I may be viewed as a failure or my choice as failing.” [12] “Even though society does not seem to place value on the choice I made, I feel this decision was of great value to me, my family and to society as a whole.” [13]

Conclusion

There are many ways to be a successful woman and it’s up to each individual to choose her path, which is why economic choice is the greatest measure of equality. Do women have the same freedom as men to pursue the career of their dreams? Do women have the same freedom to prioritize caring for a child or loved one as men do if that is what they choose? Does Canada’s cultural framework afford women the freedom to choose part-time work over full-time work without feeling of lesser value?

Women should have the freedom to choose the path that is best for them. As Ms. Moody said during her time at committee: “We are not all cut from the same cloth and as women; we will continue to question our choices. We need to feel that we're doing something worthwhile and if it is staying home with our family and contributing to our community, then we should feel good about this.” [14]

Autonomy must be granted. Freedom must be protected. Choice must be respected.

Recommendations

Although the Conservative members of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women agree with the recommendations outlined in the main report, we feel that special attention needs to be drawn to the needs of senior women who chose to leave the paid workforce for any length of time.

Based on testimony provided at committee, the Conservative members offer the following recommendations:

Tax Breaks:

1. That the Government of Canada explore the option of providing tax breaks to Canadians who have chosen to be stay-at-home parents. [15] [16]  

Income Tax Splitting:

2. That the Government of Canada implement tax measures to allow spouses with children under 18 years of age to split their incomes for tax purposes.[17] [18]

Universal Child Benefit:

3. That the Government of Canada examine and evaluate improvements to the Canada Child Benefit for Canadians who choose to be stay-at-home parents. [19]

Pension Funding:

4. That the Government of Canada look to provide adequate pension funding for individuals who have chosen to be stay-at-home parents. [20],[21]

Vulnerable Senior Women:

5. That the Government of Canada examine disability-related benefits and tax measures to ensure that persons living with disabilities are not penalized financially for increasing the number of hours they work in paid employment.

Supporting New Parents Act:

6. That the Government of Canada ensure there is a federal non-refundable income tax credit that is available for any federal income tax paid under EI parental leave programs.

Languages:

7. That the Government work to ensure newcomer senior women have adequate access to Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada classes with a specific aim at reducing social isolation of newcomers to Canada. [22]

New Horizons:

8. That the Government maintain the New Horizons for Seniors Program and that the government examines ways of modifying the program to sustain funding for a longer duration for larger projects. [23]