July 9, 1999
(Executive Council)

Focus on women's economic status at annual meeting

Minister Julie Bettney attended the annual meeting of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women which concluded today, with a shared commitment to work together to address issues of central importance to achieving equality for women.

At the meeting, co-chaired by Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Status of Women) and Patricia Mella, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women for Prince Edward Island, ministers addressed a number of issues that continue to impede women from achieving full social and economic equality.

As part of their discussion of women's economic security, ministers reviewed the report of the House of Commons Finance Sub-committee on Tax Equity for Canadian Families with Dependent Children. Ministers agreed on the importance of ensuring that all public policy, and in particular tax policy, reflects and supports economic equality for women.

During their meeting, ministers reiterated their commitment to eliminating violence against women with the adoption of Preventing Violence Against Women, A Strategic Framework. The framework, developed to guide policy and program development in the area of violence prevention, is based on a common vision and shared goals and follows the Iqaluit Declaration released by ministers in December 1998. The framework reflects strategies and initiatives that work and highlights best practices to prevent violence.

This framework supports other ongoing work by ministers, organizations and groups as well as individual women and men with regards to violence. It reflects the strategies and initiatives of each government and recognizes the work accomplished in various areas, notably at the community level, to eliminate violence against women and its multiple consequences. Ministers also agreed to pursue a collaborative approach to addressing criminal harassment (stalking). Their strategy focuses on information sharing, aimed at eliminating the harmful effects of criminal harassment in Canadian society.

In addition to the discussion on economic issues and violence, ministers also examined issues of concern for older women and aging, one of their priority issues. Some of the major challenges facing the well-being of older women today include low income, care giving responsibilities and health issues. In this the International Year of Older Persons, ministers discussed the needs of the diversity of older women and agreed to work collaboratively with Ministers Responsible for Seniors to address these challenges.

"These are all very important social and economic issues that we need to address as we move forward with strategic social development in our province," said Minister Bettney. "In order to solve these complex issues it is critical that we continue to work jointly as Status of Women Ministers."

The next meeting of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers is scheduled to be held in British Columbia in 2000.

Contact:

Marcia Porter, Human Resources and Employment, (709) 729-4062

Anne Schroder, Status of Women Canada, (613) 943-1729

Sandra Bentley, Interministerial Women's Secretariat, (902) 368-5557

1999 07 09                     4:25 p.m.