Saturday, September 22

Draft Policy and Implementation Actions for the Equality of Women and Men: Montréal Consults the Public

Ms. Helen Fotopulos, member of theExecutive Committee responsible for the Status of Women, is pleased to announce the city will hold public consultations in September and October on the draft policy Pour une participation égalitaire des femmes et des hommes à la vie de Montréal (For Equal Participation of Women and Men in the Life of Montréal).


"The equality of women and of men is a matter of basic rights. True democratic practices require an equal contribution from women and men in all spheres of political, social, economic and cultural life. Such a contribution includes the participation of women in decision-making, power sharing and accountability," said Ms. Fotopulos.

The public consultations will be chaired by Ms. Marie Cinq-Mars, of the Commission du conseil sur le développement culturel et la qualité du milieu de vie. They will take place on two occasions. On September 25, the Commissionwill hold an information session that will allow residents, representatives of interest groups and women's groups to become acquainted with the draft policy and obtain more information on the subject.

On October 9 and 10, the Commission will hold a session for the filing of submissions, thereby providing a forum for participants to express their concerns on the topic of equality for men and women, either verbally or through the filing of written submissions. Following these meetings, the Commission will table its report during a public session at City Hall onOctober 29.

The draft policy and implementation includes five areas: governance, the city as an employer, services to residents, economic development and international influence. The policy outlines the progress achieved in Montréal over a period of more than 20 years with respect to the status of women and implementation actions that could be adopted by borough officials and by the central city administration. Such actions would be introduced over the mean term, in compliance with the city's financial framework.

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