FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 10:08 a.m. this day, in Room 371, West Block, the Chair, Judy Sgro, presiding.

Debate resumed on the motion of Maria Minna, as follows :

That,

Whereas the recent $5 million in cuts to the operating budget of the Status of Women Canada places in jeopardy the valuable work done in this department to promote the equality women and;

Whereas these cuts will make it harder for women across the country to participate in the economic, social, cultural and political aspects of society and;

Whereas the draconian changes to the Terms and Conditions to the Women’s Program under Status of Women undermines the very basis of our democracy – the ability to advocate on behalf of vulnerable groups and;

Whereas removing “equality” as one of the goals of the program sends a chilling message to the dedicated equality-seeking organizations throughout the country;

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women recommends that the government reverse the $5 million in cuts to the operating budget of Status of Women Canada and re-instate the original Terms and Conditions of the Women’s Program and that the Chair report the adoption of this motion to the House without delay.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Johanne Deschamps, Irene Mathyssen, Maria Minna, Maria Mourani, Belinda Stronach, Roger Valley — 6; NAYS: Patricia Davidson, Nina Grewal, Joy Smith, Bruce Stanton — 4.

Joy Smith moved, — Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women recognize that all women are equal in Canada under the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that the government strive to address the barriers that would prevent the full participation of women in Canadian society, so the economic, social and cultural situation is improved through projects directly impacting women in communities across Canada.

Debate arose thereon.

Belinda Stronach moved, — That the motion be amended by adding the phrase “reinstate equality as the primary goal of the women's program at Status of Women Canada” after the word “government” and adding the phrase “political and legal aspects” after the word “social” and by deleting “through projects directly impacting women in communities across Canada”.

Debate arose thereon.

Maria Mourani moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding the phrase “women are in fact not equal in Canada, and concrete measures are becoming essential to compensate for the inequalities women experience, in part by adopting pay equity legislation.” after the word “that” and by deleting the phrase “all women are equal in Canada under the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that the“, and by adding the phrase: “We also acknowledge that this government is not attempting” after the word “pay” and adding the words “political, legal” after the word “social” and deleting the phrase “is improved through projects directly impacting women in communities across Canada” .

Debate arose thereon.

A point of order was raised regarding the procedural admissibility of the proposed sub-amendment to the proposed amendment.

The Chair ruled the proposed sub-amendment out of order because it is the direct negative of the motion and is outside the scope of the motion.

A point of order was raised regarding the procedural admissibility of the proposed amendment to the motion.

The Chair reserved her decision until the next meeting.

It was agreed, — That, the study focus on human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation and that the committee work towards a draft report in December.

It was agreed, — That the Committee append to its 10th report a dissenting opinion from the Conservative Party.

At 11:07 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 11:18 a.m., the sitting resumed.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 12:55 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.