Irene's Critic Roles

“On November 25th, it is important that we recognize the need to prevent violence against women both in Canada and abroad.

“The United Nations reports that violence against women persists in every country around the world as a pervasive violation of human rights and a major impediment to achieving gender equality.

Today marks the first day of Women Abuse Prevention Month in Ontario. Sadly, half of Canadian women will experience criminal violence by men in their homes, communities, workplaces or schools in their lifetime.

In the recent Conservative Throne Speech and economic statement, no money or programs were announced to reduce the violence that women face every day. In fact, the recent Conservative estimates show a $5 million cut from the Status of Women program – the only government organization mandated to monitor and advance equality for women in Canada.

New Democrats believe that ending violence against women should be made a priority. The NDP has released an action plan to bring fairness to women and part of that plan includes reducing violence against women. The NDP plan includes:

Guaranteeing access to justice: Without adequate legal representation, some women are losing custody of their children, giving up valid legal rights to financial support, and being victimized through litigation harassment. The NDP’s plan to ensure access to justice for women includes the re-instatement of the Court Challenges Program and the restoration of funding to legal aid.

Stopping violence against Aboriginal women: Young Aboriginal women are five times more likely to die from violence than other women in Canada. The NDP is committed to supporting programs initiated and directed by Aboriginal women that develop community-led solutions to ending violence. We are also committed to ending the 2% funding cap on social programming at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada that has left many women facing housing crises and without adequate supports in their communities.

Building more affordable housing: Too many women in our society remain trapped in abusive relationships, unable to protect themselves and their children because the resources – affordable housing, shelters, government support, employment insurance, counselling and protection – aren’t there. The NDP’s plan to end violence against women includes a re-investment in a National Affordable Housing program.

The plan is available in full at www.ndp.ca/fairnessforwomen

Jack Layton
NDP Leader

Irene Mathyssen
NDP Critic for the Status of Women, MP for London Fanshawe

John Ivison is quite right to say that anyone looking for “bold and innovative policies” from the Liberal party that might attract women voters “should watch West Wing re-runs.” The opposition day motion that the liberals chose on Thursday – contained nothing new or innovative. Corporate tax cuts to boost the economy will do nothing to attract women voters and absolutely nothing to close the growing prosperity gap that is leaving more and more hard working Canadians behind. The sad truth is that women are more likely to be living in poverty - the poverty rate of single women is a staggering 42%. And it is worse for single mothers at 48%. It is very clear that the women on the Liberal planning committee either did not speak up or were not heard.

In her response, Maria Minna brags about a mere eight women on the planning committee. However, if you take a closer look at the numbers there is a real lack of women in the Liberal caucus – of the 96 MPs only 21 are women (21.8%). And Mr. Dion, despite his claims that he wants to have more women MPs actually shuffled five women from critic roles leaving only thirteen women (24%) representing the Liberal party. This is down from 32% in the spring session.

It is surprising that in an August 15, 2007, Liberal Party press release pointing out the snubbing of women in the Conservative cabinet shuffle, Dion is quoted as saying “A Liberal government would act far more aggressively to ensure stronger female representation in the ranks of both its cabinet and its caucus.

What is clear is that the Liberals claim women are a priority; but, actions speak louder than words, and so do the numbers.

Irene Mathyssen, MP, NDP Critic for the Status of Women

Nearly 90 years ago, women got the vote and nearly 80 years ago they were legally recognized as ‘persons’. Since then, many other important battles have been won for women’s rights. But recently women have been losing ground in their fight for equality as Conservative and Liberal governments in Ottawa have cut programs and taken a step backwards on women’s issues. After decades of progress towards equality, ordinary women in Canada are stalled economically, socially and politically.

Today, women in Canada are still not safe in their homes or on the streets. An estimated one in four women in Canada is a victim of sexual violence in her lifetime. In the workplace, women still only make 70% of what men make, and for university graduates it’s getting worse, not better. Poverty affects almost half of single, widowed or divorced women over 65, and more than 40% of unattached women under 65.

Canada has a strong base on which to build when it comes to women’s equality. We have guaranteed equality rights in our Charter; decriminalized abortion and birth control, and a strong network of women’s services across the country, including emergency shelters and rape crisis centres.

But when compared to other countries, Canada is underperforming. The 2006 Global Gender Gap report by the World Economic Forum ranks Canada 14th, behind Sri Lanka, the Philippines and most European countries.

And it could get worse. Lack of attention to women’s rights from successive governments has stalled progress, and the outright opposition to women’s equality from the Harper Conservatives is threatening to turn the clock back.

Women and their families deserve better.
There is only one party in Parliament which is steadfastly committed to women’s equality and that’s the New Democratic Party. The NDP believes that women’s equality is fundamental to this country and is committed to achieving it in every walk of life – from the makeup of the House of Commons, to pay equity, to childcare. Women make up 41% of the NDP caucus – the highest proportion of women Members of Parliament in Canadian history.

New Democrats have always stood side-by-side with women’s groups to support equality. Whether speaking out on issues like choice on abortion, breaking the silence on violence against women, electing the first female leader of a federal political party, pushing for proactive legislation on pay and employment equity or making sure that every piece of legislation is examined for its impact on women, the NDP is the party that has walked the talk when it comes to fighting for women’s equality.

The NDP believes Canadian women deserve fairness, affordability, equal opportunity, equal pay for equal work, a decent standard of living and the freedom to live without fear.

Only the NDP has the plan to put the priorities of working and middle-class women first by making Canada a world leader for women’s equality.

1. Fairness for women at work
2. A better work-family balance
3. An end to violence against women
4. Making sure women are heard – in public, in politics
5. Fairness for marginalized women
6. Equality for women around the globe

For more details visit: http://www.ndp.ca/fairnessforwomen

LONDON—NDP MP and Status of Women Critic Irene Mathyssen says the reduction of the number of women in cabinet, following the Prime Minister’s cabinet shuffle this week, is further indication that women’s equality in Canada is sliding backward under the Conservative government.

“MP Diane Ablonczy attempted to justify the decrease in a interview earlier today by saying women are generally less interested in political careers because they place a higher priority on caring for their family. Of course under this government, like the Liberal government before it, many women have little choice but to sacrifice their personal goals and participation in political action. The failure to provide real childcare, the failure to respect the will of Parliament and enact the NDP’s Senior’s Charter, and the failure to take any action to reduce the growing prosperity gap in our nation means families must shoulder the burden of caring for children and seniors. The failure of the Conservatives to support pay equity legislation means that for financial reasons, it is the woman in the family who’s career is sacrificed because they earn less than their male counterparts.” Mathyssen said.

Mathyssen welcomed the removal of Bev Oda as the Minister for the Status of Women, she has repeatedly called for Oda’s resignation, but said the move should be accompanied by a reversal of the department’s funding cuts and mandate change implemented by the former Minister.

“The cuts to Status of Women Canada silenced the voices of ten of thousands of women across Canada who were actively advancing equality issues. The reduction of women’s representation in Cabinet is a strong indication that Mr. Harper intends to continue ignoring the voices of Canadian women.” Mathyssen said.

Mathyssen added that the NDP offers Canadian women a real opportunity to participate in political life. The party has established a fund in the name of Agnes McPhail, Canada’s first women MP and member of the NDP’s forerunner the CCF, which provides support to women candidates during election campaigns. The NDP also has a gender equity policy to ensure women have an equal voice in party committees, in convention delegations, and which insures women are approached to be candidates prior to any riding nominations.

“Women make up 41% of our NDP caucus, but only 21% of parliamentarians are women, it is clear that while Mr. Harper and Mr. Dion only pay lip service to equality, the NDP is listening to women and working to make their voices heard.”

The following is a letter to the editor submitted by Irene and published in MacLean's Magazine in the May 21st cover date edition:

IT WAS ODD that Aaron Wherry's piece on the state of women in politics ("Endangered Species Alert," National, April 30) should begin with the question "Where are all the powerful women?" but not interview any of the MPs in the New Democratic Party caucus of which 41 per cent are women--the highest percentage of any party in the House of Commons. We have a long way to go to reach equality for women in politics. Many things need to change. The first is our electoral system. Parties also need to change. But in the end, attitudes need to change, too. Having more women in politics isn't just laudable idealism, it's critical to the health of public discourse and the viability of public policy.

Irene Mathyssen
MP, London-Fanshawe
NDP Status of Women Critic

NDP Women’s Caucus hosts breakfast to launch International Women’s Week

OTTAWA – Coffee, muffins and a rousing call to continue the fight for women’s equality were on the menu at a breakfast hosted by the NDP’s women’s caucus to kick off International Women’s Week. In the wake of recent cuts by the Conservative government to Status of Women Canada this call struck a cord with the women in attendance.

“The minister responsible for the Status of Women thinks she can fool ordinary women into believing that we have achieved equality. Ask the women who are making 71% of what their male colleagues make, who are victims of domestic abuse, or who still bear the lion’s share of the burden of care for children and other dependent relatives – this is not equality. Women deserve better,” said Irene Mathyssen, the NDP’s Status of Women critic, to a room full of women’s rights activists and community members.

Journalist Heather Mallick, President of the Quebec Native Women’s Association Ellen Gabriel, and Sarah Ghabrial of the Miss G Project also spoke to participants about the attack on women’s equality taking place in Canada at the moment.

NDP Leader Jack Layton spoke about the need to get more women in Parliament to ensure that the issues that matter to hard-working women are not ignored.

“Everyday women in this country are finding it harder and harder just to make ends meet. As the men who control the purse strings in Ottawa cut social spending it is women in this country who are forced to fill the gaps. We need more women in Parliament to make life more manageable for the women who are holding this country together,” said Layton.

With 41% of its caucus being women, the NDP has the best representation of women in the House of Commons.

ANTI-POVERTY PLAN STARTS WITH REINSTATING $10 MINIMUM WAGE

OTTAWA – Today, the NDP tabled a motion in the House of Commons to reinstate the federal minimum wage and is calling on the federal government to implement a national anti-poverty strategy. The NDP motion sets the federal minimum wage at $10.00 per hour.

“The Federal minimum wage was eliminated in 1996 under the Liberal government. This is not a good thing for Canadians. The Canadian Labour Congress has found that a single person working full-time in Canada needs an hourly rate of at least $10 an hour to reach a poverty-line income. Initially, minimum wage was introduced to ensure that anyone working would not be poor. Sadly, in most provinces the minimum wage is so low that even someone working full time for an entire year falls far short of the poverty line” said Irene Mathyssen today in the House of Commons.

Today one-in-six Canadians live in poverty and nearly 1.2 million of them are children. Many adults living in poverty work for rock-bottom wages. One quarter of poor families now have someone working full-time and two million families are unable to find shelter they can afford.

“In a country as wealthy as ours, it’s not right that so many working and middle class families are working harder and harder just to make ends meet,” said NDP Leader Jack Layton.

“The poverty rate of single women is a staggering 42%. And it is worse for single mothers at 48%. The average wage for a full-time worker living in poverty is $9,522. One person cannot live from this level of income. Mr. Speaker, that is less than $800 a month! That will barely cover rent in most cities, never mind food. How can you raise a family on that?” said Mathyssen.

The NDP’s motion is being debated today by parliamentarians and voted on later in the week.

Member of Parliament Irene Mathyssen welcomes the support of London City Council in the fight against the cuts to Status of Women Canada.

At the December 18th meeting, London City Council passed the following resolution:

Municipal Council, at its session held on December 18, 2006, resolved:

That the Prime Minister of Canada be requested to reverse the federal government’s decision to cut funding currently used to operate Status of Women centres across Canada and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Big City Mayors Caucus of Canada and the local M.P.’s.

“It is important that City Council’s join in the fight against the Conservative cuts. Most of the agencies which utilize Status of Women Canada operate at the community level. Many, including London agencies, also receive financial support for their work from municipal governments. City dollars can only be stretched so far and municipalities cannot be expected to do more. At a time when the Conservative government is posting multi-billion dollar surpluses, and subsidizing the oil and gas industry by billions more, cuts to social programs and spending are simply heartless and inexcusable.” said Mathyssen.

Mathyssen says the newly elected council has already shown a new commitment to women, by ensuring that one of the three spots for council members on the Western Fair board was filled by a woman, Councilor Cheryl Miller. Mayor Anne-Marie DeCicco-best has also established a Task Force to End Violence Against Women in London. The new council of 19 members includes 7 women, an increase of one over the last council.

“Municipally, we are making positive steps to support and increase the participation of women. It is important for municipalities to oppose the regressive federal agenda of Mr. Harper, I hope other municipalities will follow London’s lead on this issue.” Mathyssen added.

VANCOUVER - NDP Leader Jack Layton today denounced the decision made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to deny women the right to participate in ski jumping in the 2010 Olympics Games in Vancouver.

The NDP joins Canadians in denouncing the IOC’s decision to discriminate based on gender and deny women a chance to compete. Ski jumping is the only Olympic winter sport that still excludes women, under the rules of the IOC. The female members of the Canadian team have been training hard and want an equal opportunity to represent their country at the Olympics in this sport.

Layton was joined by NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (Critic for the Status of Women), Peter Julian (Critic for the Vancouver Olympics) and Wayne Marston (Human Rights Critic) in calling upon the federal government to denounce the IOC decision and do everything possible to reverse it. The NDP fully support the Human Rights complaint filed by the women’s team and is also calling on the government to allocate public funds so that both sexes can compete in this sport. Currently only male ski jumpers get funding from the government.

“It is disappointing to see that in the 21st century women must still fight for equality within an institution that claims to promote the principles of fairness, equality and Olympic ideals. This sends the wrong message to our young athletes and a negative image to the world,” declared Layton

Canadians expect their government to show its commitment to women and women’s rights and equality by challenging this decision and providing equal funding for female ski jumpers.

The NDP has filed a complaint letter about this issue to the federal Minister of Sports.