Towards equality for women

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 make-up of the House of Commons, to pay equity, to childcare.

Since the Conservatives took office in 2006, Status of Women Canada, the agency mandated to work towards women’s equality in Canada, has come under attack. Five million dollars were cut from its budget, 12 of 16 regional offices were closed, and the word ‘equality’ was removed from its funding mandate.

Canada’s NDP is working to get more done for today’s women and their families:

• Introduced the Early Learning and Childcare Act that is now before committee.
• Called for the implementation of the Pay Equity Task Force’s recommendations.
• Proposed expanding homecare, caregivers’ programs (to receive up to one year of Employment Insurance) and amending the Canada Pension Plan (to permit time spent caring for loved ones to count when determining benefit entitlements) to ease the burden of care for the elderly and other dependent relatives.
• Introduced a bill to create a National Breast Implant Registry to protect women’s health.
• Secured all-party agreement to pass the Seniors Charter – committing the government to ensure free dental and pharmacare for every Canadian over 65 years of age, the majority of whom are women.
• Secured $1.6 billion in the 2005 budget for social and co-operative housing.
• Brought back the Committee on the Status of Women after Liberals shut it down, and now fighting for its continued survival in the face of massive cuts by the Conservatives.
  

Canada’s NDP takes women’s equality seriously and makes the issues that matter to working women and their families a priority.

LINK: NDP