FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 11:17 a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Judy Sgro, presiding.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion by Joy Smith, as follows:

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.

The Committee resumed consideration of the amendment to the motion by Belinda Stronach, as follows:

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 “political and legal aspects” after the word “social” and by deleting the phrase “through projects directly impacting women in communities across Canada”.

The Chair ruled the proposed amendment on Joy Smith 's motion out of order.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived on the following recorded division:YEAS: Patricia Davidson, Nina Grewal, Bruce Stanton, David Sweet, David Tilson — 5; NAYS: Claude DeBellefeuille, Johanne Deschamps, Irene Mathyssen, Maria Minna, Anita Neville, Belinda Stronach — 6.

Belinda Stronach moved, — Pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2) (b), that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women (SWC) hold extended meetings to assess the impact the cuts to Status of Women Canada and the extensive changes to the Terms and Conditions of the Women’s Program have had on the ability of Status of Women Canada to carry on its important work on behalf of women in Canada.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Patricia Davidson, Claude DeBellefeuille, Johanne Deschamps, Nina Grewal, Irene Mathyssen, Maria Minna, Anita Neville, Bruce Stanton, Belinda Stronach, David Sweet, David Tilson — 11; NAYS: — 0.

At 11:37 a.m., the Committee proceeded to sit in camera to discuss drafting instructions on a report.

At 11:59 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 12:00 p.m., the sitting resumed in public.

The witness made a statement and answered questions.

At 12:59 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.