Minister reports on meetings of ministers responsible for the status of women

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, today reported on the 24th annual meeting of ministers responsible for the status of women, held in Regina, September 21-23. The meeting provided a forum to exchange information on important issues affecting women in Canada.

�Many of the concerns of women in this province are also the concerns of women across the country,� said Minister Burke. �Meetings such as these provide a crucial forum to raise issues, share innovative ideas and work toward solutions together.�

The meeting provided key information and research on maternity and parental benefits, and allowed for the presentation of recommendations for changes to the existing federal maternity and parental benefits program.

Irwin Cotler, Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada, also attended the meeting to discuss various justice issues and how they affect women, such as: the need for civil legal aid funding; the need for changes to the conditional sentences in domestic violence and child abuse cases; and trafficking of women.

During the meeting it was also agreed to hold a National Policy Forum in early 2006 to discuss violence against Aboriginal women. It will provide an opportunity for Aboriginal women to share their experiences and best practices. It will also enable Aboriginal organizations and government to work together to make better policy and implement more effective programs.

Canada�s obligations to the United Nations� Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women were also discussed, and the ministers were provided an opportunity to profile initiatives taking place in their provinces.

The next meeting of federal-provincial-territorial ministers is to be held in Saint John, New Brunswick in 2006.

Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-4062, 689-2624

2005 09 30                        11:10 a.m.