The Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Activities Update

Transcription

1 The Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women Activities Update Chairperson's message Fall 2003 / Winter 2004 I m very excited to have the opportunity over the next few years to serve as Chairperson of the Advisory Council. Since my appointment in May of 2003, I ve begun to get a sense of what that could entail and am extremely enthusiastic about the possibilities. Kirstin Lund In the fall of 2003, we worked in partnership with Women s Network and LEAF on a small campaign to encourage the election of women in the November 3 municipal elections. In October we co-sponsored a very successful event bringing together women candidates from Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall to dialogue about barriers to women running for public office. This event received great media attention. My hope is that we can build on this partnership in future elections, namely the federal election anticipated for the spring of I m also excited by the possibilities presented by the appointments of our new Minister, Gail Shea and Opposition Status of Women Critic, Carolyn Bertram. We have met with both women to talk about how we can more effectively influence policy impacting women s equality while finding ways to ensure government accountability to PEI women. I anticipate positive ongoing dialogue with both government and the Opposition office to develop effective strategies to move women s equality issues forward. On a national stage, Heidi and I continue to connect with a coalition of Advisory Councils from across the country and have begun the process of relationship and partnership building with our federal Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Jean Augustine. Some really interesting options about how to move women s equality forward on a national level are being discussed and we are keen to help facilitate that work. As we move into 2004, my resolution with regard to my role at the Advisory Council is to be a facilitator of partnerships and collaboration and to manifest some positive movement towards women s equality in PEI. Sincerely, Kirstin Lund

2 Welcome... Thank you... page 2 - Council Members and Staff Kim Bailey was recently appointed to the Council. She was born and raised in Souris PEI, and has made Cornwall her home for the last 11 years. Educated at the Universities of New Brunswick and St Thomas, Kim holds three degrees in Arts (English/Psychology), Social Work, and a Masters degree in Education. After being a Registered Social Worker for 14 years, she has made a career change to the Educational field where she is a school counsellor. Kim has much volunteer experience and has particular interest in children's issues. The PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women would like to thank Maxine Ellis and Valerie Smallman for their service on the Council and to the women of Prince Edward Island. Maxine Ellis... Maxine s contributions as a Council member from 1998 to 2003, and as Council Treasurer, have been significant and very much appreciated. Her work identifying issues at meetings, in her workplace, and in her community has advanced the Council s work towards equality. Valerie Smallman... Valerie s contributions as a Council member from 1998 to 2003 have been significant and very much appreciated. In particular, she worked to ensure that the voices of women emerging from abusive relationships were heard around the Council table. Cheryl J. Dalziel... served as half-time Communications Coordinator since November She applied her many and varied skills to share messages about the Council and its work with the wider Island community. At the same time, she facilitated communication within Council itself. In particular, she worked hard on the annual Purple Ribbon Campaign Against Violence, the IWD Awards, and media campaigns associated with Council policy research initiatives. In August, Cheryl resigned from her position with the Advisory Council to start a new employment venture. We wish Cheryl well in her new job and thank her for all her contributions.

3 page 3 - Purple Ribbon Campaign and Memorial Service 2003 Purple Ribbon Campaign Against Violence - First Mourn, Then Work for Change! On December 6, 1989, fourteen women were murdered at l École Polytechnique in Montreal. They were murdered because they were women.! December 2003 marked the 12 th year that the PEIACSW has organized its Purple Ribbon Campaign Against Violence. Chairperson Kirstin Lund asked Islanders to wear purple ribbons in remembrance of the 14 women slain at l École Polytechique and to raise awareness about violence against women and children throughout the world. Websites: Every year, hundreds of Island women and children are victims of violence. It s got to stop, said Lund. We must never forget those 14 young women who were murdered in Montreal because they were women. We must remember them and work to ensure an end to violence against women and children. First mourn, then work for change! Lund also urged Islanders to donate to an organization in their community which is working toward ending violence against women and children. December 6th Memorial Services The Advisory Council once again joined together with UPEI Women s Centre, Transition House Association, PEI Rape/Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, Women s Network PEI and the Interministerial Women s Secretariat to organize the Montreal Massacre Memorial Service in Charlottetown. It was held on Friday, December 5th at noon at Memorial Hall, Confederation Centre with 17 groups taking part in the lighting of candles for the victims of violence. Joanne Ings emceed and Deirdre Kessler read poetry and prose dedicated to the 14 women murdered in Montreal. About 100 people attended. Services were held at the same time at the Summerside Presbyterian Church with Norma McColeman as the guest speaker. Gloria Dennis, Queens Region Outreach Worker for Transition House Association, lights a candle at the noon time service in Charlottetown. A special thank you to Purple Ribbon Campaign Coordinator Sandy Kowalik and all the wonderful volunteers for another successful campaign! We couldn t do it without you!!

4 page 4 - Policy Guides and Submissions Parental Benefits Guide Remember January 2001 when important changes to Canada s Employment Insurance Act came into effect? That s when the number of weeks available for maternity and parental leave increased from 32 to 50. On the surface, the increase seemed like a huge step forward for Canadian parents - giving them the opportunity to care for and nurture their children during that crucial first year of life. How is it working out, though? Women s Network PEI has begun a research process, looking beneath the surface to find out how equitable these benefits are for Atlantic Canadian women. The Advisory Council wants to draw upon that research and what is known about women s employment on PEI to examine what needs to change here on the Island so that all parents and all children can access such benefits. Given certain Island realities - we have a seasonal economy, a lot of our workers are low-paid, there is a great deal of self-employment, and very few employers offer top-up payments - it is important for our province to take these policies further to ensure equitable access. The Council is in its research and consultation phase right now. Call Patricia MacAulay at the office if you have a contribution to make on the topic of parental benefits. Early Childhood Care and Education Guide It s true. Location is everything. That s why the Advisory Council chose to release its most recent policy package at one of the Island s licensed, quality child care centres. Back in June, Kare-a-Lot Child Care Centre in Summerside welcomed Council members, invited guests, and members of the Island media for an exploration of the issues associated with providing early care and learning opportunities to Island children. Owner Laura Cannon spoke about the challenges and rewards involved in operating a quality program while a parent, Tobi MacDonald, described the value of a quality program for the safety, nurturing, and development of her children. The Advisory Council stressed that, while other Canadian jurisdictions provide up to 50% of the funding required for such programming, here on PEI the amount is more like 20%. That means high fees for parents and low wages for workers. While the adults talked, the children continued to play and learn, even while under the scrutiny of TV cameras. Many parents and members of the early childhood sector have called the Council to express their appreciation for its efforts in bringing these issues into the public eye. More copies of the policy package are available at the ACSW office and on the website. Submission to the Electoral Reform Commission Is proportional representation what s needed to balance women s representation in the provincial legislature? In 2003, former Justice Norman Carruthers met with Islanders to talk about electoral reform and the ACSW was part of that process. We prepared a submission for the Commission noting that, while there have been remarkable political achievements by individual Island women, their experience does not reflect the reality of Island women as a group. Reform efforts to date have resulted in women typically holding 20-25% of the seats even though they make up 52% of the population. We suggested that, given women s unique circumstances, the electoral system is a big factor in their under-representation. Proportional representation, in the context of a bigger strategy, could be a step towards political equality for Island women.

5 page 5 - Council Activities Call for the Royal Commission on the Status of Women The written publication calling for a Royal Commission on the Status of Women has been distributed widely across PEI and has also been shared with other Advisory Councils across the country for distribution and discussion in their provinces. Copies are still available. Call if you would like additional ones. In July 2003, Senator Catherine Callbeck and former Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women President Doris Anderson met with interested Island women to talk about the state of equality in Canada and the possibility of a new Royal Commission to examine what is really happening to equality in Canada. Coalition of Advisory Councils Ottawa Meeting Heidi and Kirstin attended the annual meeting of the Coalition of Advisory Councils in Ottawa from October The meeting brought together Advisory Councils from each of the provinces and territories that have councils to discuss some current and emerging issues including Bill C-22 to amend the Divorce Act, International Agreements on the status of women and the call for a Royal Commission. The Coalition has requested that the federal government implement a Royal Commission in order to update the recommendations for advancing women s equality in Canada; to address the recommendations from the first Royal Commission in 1971 that have not yet been addressed; and to provide opportunities for women to be involved in a process to create a national agenda regarding women s equality. While in Ottawa, the Coalition had the opportunity to meet with the federal Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Jean Augustine, to discuss the Coalition s call for a Royal Commission. While the Minister did not fully support the idea of a Royal Commission, she was interested in entering into a dialogue with the Coalition about other ways that the need for a review of women s equality in Canada could be met. She invited the Coalition to provide some ideas and we are in the process of following up on that invitation. Heidi and Kirstin also met with Shawn Murphy, MP, while in Ottawa, and were interviewed by him about the work of the PEI Advisory Council for his Cable 10 program. The interview aired in November. PEI ACSW Federal Election Guide When the federal election is called, likely in the spring of 2004, the PEIACSW will be ready with another Guide to the Issues that focuses attention on the ways that federal representatives can support women as they move towards equality. The guide, which is still in its draft stage, opens with a letter from Chairperson Kirstin Lund alerting women to the necessity of making candidates aware of eight key issues. So far, these are: 1) Legal Aid, 2) Amendments to the Divorce Act, 3) Abortion Rights, 4) Unpaid Work, 5) Early Childhood Care and Education, 6) Parental Benefits, 7) Women s Voices, and 8) Royal Commission on the Status of Women. The Council sees this guide as particularly important, considering that the national equality-seeking organizations who once took on this advocacy role have become diminished or have disappeared altogether. Copies of the guide will be sent to the Council s mailing list and to all candidates when the election is called.

6 page 6 - Council Activities Provincial Election Guide When the provincial election was called, the Advisory Council released its Guide to the Issues. This guide contained a letter from Chairperson Kirstin Lund inviting Island women to talk with their candidates about eight key equality issues identified by the Advisory Council, mostly through its policy work. These issues are: 1) Addiction Services for Women, 2) Family Law, 3) Women s Health, 4) Women and Unpaid Work, 5) Early Childhood Care and Education, 6) Women and Decision-making, 7) Reproductive Health, and 8) Violence Against Women. For each issue, the guide presented a quote that encapsulated what we have heard from Island women, a collection of key messages, and a question for the candidates. These guides were distributed to the mailing list, the party offices, and other interested people. CBC Radio and TV presented stories about the guide and its potential uses. Now that the election is decided, women can still use these guides to talk with their MLAs about what needs to change to help Island women move towards equality. First Meeting with Minister Shea In November, Heidi and Kirstin had their first meeting with the Council s new Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, Gail Shea. It was an opportunity to let the Minister know about the work of the Advisory Council and to have some discussion about how we can work together to advance the status of women in PEI. We agreed to get together regularly to keep each other up-to-date on activities and issues. It was a productive meeting and we are looking forward to collaborating with the Minister during the next few years. Meeting with Opposition Critic We were excited to hear that the Official Opposition named a Status of Women critic, Carolyn Bertram. It has been a very long time since we have had an Opposition critic, if indeed we ever had one. In November, we had a first meeting with Ms. Bertram and Robert Ghiz, Opposition Leader, to provide some information about what the Advisory Council does and to update them on current work and issues. We also talked about how we could work together to ensure that government is accountable to Island women. Having read about some of the questions that Ms. Bertram has been asking in the House, we are excited about the potential to further women s equality that could arise from her work in this area. Morning-After Pill The PEIACSW has learned that women across the country will soon be able to get the morning-after pill without a doctor s prescription. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists met in Charlottetown earlier in 2003 and announced that Health Canada is working on making this emergency contraceptive available directly from pharmacists in all provinces. The society s executive director commented that this is good news for all Canadian women. More than 30% of Canadians can t access a family physician, don t have a family physician, so they call an office, they can t get an appointment, he explained. When asked for comment for CBC National Radio, the ACSW noted that, without access to abortion services, Island women can certainly benefit from any increase in their reproductive health choices.

7 page 7 - Provincial Government Honourable Gail Shea - New Minister Responsible for the Status of Women The Advisory Council is happy to welcome Gail Shea as the newly appointed Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. Gail was first elected to the legislature as the MLA for Tignish-DeBlois in 2000, serving as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, then Minister of Transportation and Public Works. Minister Shea was the first woman on PEI to hold that portfolio. Upon her re-election, she has been re-appointed as Minister of Transportation and Public Works, along with her responsibility for the Status of Women. The Council looks forward to collaborating with its new Minister on issues that matter to Island women. Hon. Gail Shea In Appreciation... Pat Mella, former Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Pat Mella has certainly shown that women have what it takes to thrive in political life. Since 1996, she has served the province in the powerful role of Provincial Treasurer. Even though that was a very demanding position, she made time for her work as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. A staunch advocate for the interests of Island women, Pat represented the Island at the federal/provincial/ territorial level, met regularly with the ACSW, and participated in Council meetings and events. We could always count on her for challenging questions, thorough analysis, and good stories. Her political career demonstrated her determination, perseverance, and skill. It is an example for other Island women. We will miss our lively exchanges with Pat and wish her well in her future endeavours. Hopefully, she will continue to be part of the work that we do. and... Jeff Lantz, former Attorney General The PEI Advisory Council was sorry to see former Attorney General Jeff Lantz leave political life. During his term, along with Assistant Attorney General Patsy MacLean, Jeff showed a real commitment to collaborating with the community on a variety of issues, especially family violence prevention. He served during a very sensitive time when violence was on Islanders minds. Thanks to his careful, thoughtful, and conscientious approach, Island communities were able to take positive action in the midst of distressing circumstances. His leadership helped Islanders move past their shock and anger at the deaths of Island women and deepen their commitment to ending violence. We hope that Jeff enjoys his time with his growing family and remind him that we welcome him back any time.

8 page 8 - Meetings 2004 EQUALITY Recognition Awards ~ Ten Years Later ~ Time to Celebrate the Achievements of all Island Women This year, the Advisory Council wants every Island woman to take time on March 8 th to reflect on their contributions, to congratulate others for what they have done, and to celebrate with each other. To kick off this celebration, the Advisory Council will host the Second Annual IWD Cabaret on March 6, 2004 at the Arts Guild Hall at 8:00 pm. We hope you can join us as we honour Island women. For more information call or the office, or peiacsw@isn.net Bursaries~UPEI bursary winner was Lynda Legere. The Holland College bursary was deferred to 2004 because the applicants did not meet the criteria. Inge Blackett Memorial Bursary The late Inge Blackett, a former Council member who died in December 2002, led an extraordinary life. Although she rarely spoke of her experiences, she came to Canada as a Holocaust survivor. When PEIACSW sought to find a way to honour and remember Inge, they chose to highlight her resilience and her commitment to learning. In her memory, PEIACSW has created the Inge Blackett Memorial Bursary. This bursary is open to women who have arrived in Canada as refugees and who are exploring educational options in PEI. Congratulations to Susan Tombe, the first recipient of this bursary! Susan came to Canada from Nigeria with her young son, Frances. She hopes to finish training and work with seniors. She has volunteered at the Prince Edward Home an would like to continue this kind of work. We want to hear from you... The Advisory Council office is located on the 1st floor of 9 Queen Street, Charlottetown. Drop by, call , peiacsw@isn.net or contact the nearest Council member: The Minister Responsible for the Status of Women is Hon.Gail Shea Prince Edward Island Advisory Council on the Status of Women PO Box 2000 Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8 Tel: Fax: peiacsw@isn.net Website: Council: Kirstin Lund Chairperson Stratford Jackie MacNeill Doiron Vice Chairperson Charlottetown Maxine Ellis West Cape Joan Savage Summerside Valerie Smallman O'Leary, Wendy MacLaren Morell, June Sencabaugh Murray River Elaine Rabinowitz Breadalbane Kim Bailey Cornwall Staff: Heidi Rankin Director Becky Tramley Administrative Assistant Patricia MacAulay Reseacher/Policy Analyst