Harper Government Turns the Clock Back for Women in Canada

With the proposed closure of the BC/Yukon office of Status of Women Canada in March 2007, the equality rights of BC women will be set back 40 years. A recent announcement from Hon Bev Oda, Minister of Heritage and Status of Women, stated that 12 of 16 regional offices of Status of Women will close in March 2007, and funds for independent research on womens issues will be cancelled. This news came on the heels of the federal government's decision to chop one billion dollars in funding to federal programs, including Status of Women Canada. Closures of local offices such as Vancouver's, and loss of knowledgeable staff will impact negatively on womens'programs and projects locally.
Other negative changes include: A cut of 40% to the administrative budget of SWC, the deletion of the word "equality" from the SWC mandate, a ban on research, advocacy and lobbying by groups receiving SWC funding, the inclusion of "for profit" and "religious-based" groups in SWC funding guidelines.
Research and work for policy changes in the fields of womens'political, legal and economic equality will all be adversely affected. Harper's government is trying to turn back the clock for womens equality in Canada and we must all, men and women, resist!