Opposition MPs Block Conservative Attempt to Hijack Status of Women Canada

February 7, 2007 - OTTAWA – Opposition members of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women expressed their disappointment over the Conservative Members’ attempt to change the mandate of Status of Women Canada using back door methods.

“We are tired of this government’s games and sly, underhanded moves,” Opposition members of the Standing Committees on the Status of Women agreed. A motion introduced in Committee on February 6, 2007, by a government member attempted to change the mandate of Status of Women Canada to focus its already limited resources on human trafficking.

Opposition members agree that the act of procuring sex for money should be criminalized and is undoubtedly a form of sexual exploitation. However, Liberal, Bloc Quebecois and NDP committee members affirm that this is not an issue that should be undertaken by the already cash-strapped and shrinking Status of Women Canada.

Opposition members debated that where the first paragraphs of the motion are acceptable, the mandate of Status of Women Canada should not be amended by an independent body such as the Standing Committee.

Changing the mandate of SWC through these means is yet another example of this Conservative government’s practice of using back door means to govern.

The motion was defeated after government members made it adamantly clear that they would not support any amendment. In a recorded vote, Opposition members voted against the motion in an attempt to protect the already crippled mandate of Status of Women Canada.