Executive Council
April 16, 2010Minister Marks
25th Anniversary of Women's Equality in Canada
Saturday, April 17, 2010 marks the 25th
anniversary of the equality provisions being added to the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Charter), making this an important
day for women across the country to celebrate.
"This was a significant milestone for women in Canada
and it is important that we use this day to reflect on the progress we
have made in advancing equality for women in this country," said the
Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Minister Responsible for the Status of
Women. "The steps we have made in advancing women's equality should be
celebrated as we continue to strive toward our goal of true equality for
women."
Section 15 of the Charter on equality rights
gave every individual in Canada equal rights and freedoms law.
"Women have always made a great contribution to the
social and economic life in Newfoundland and Labrador and in the
country, and Section 15 recognizes women's struggle for equality in the
workforce, at home and in their communities," said Minister Dunderdale.
Women in Newfoundland and Labrador joined women's
groups across the country in the early 1980s when the equality rights
provision was in danger of being superseded by provincial law. At that
time, it was contemplated that Section 28 of the Charter would be
removed. Section 28 is the provision guaranteeing that equal rights to
men and women could not be overridden by provincial law. An adhoc
committee was established in this province to join women across the
country to oppose the move. Women took various actions to raise
awareness with the provincial and federal governments until it was
discarded.
"Our province has a strong network of women who are
eager to work side by side for the equality and inclusion of women in
Newfoundland and Labrador," said Linda Ross, President and CEO of the
Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women. "Women are half of
the population of our province and we must celebrate our work and
partnerships and continue to build on the progress that we have made to
date."
Saturday, April 17, is also the 25th
anniversary of the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), which
was established to ensure the equality guarantees set out in Section 15
of the Charter would be applied to all Canadians, particularly
marginalized populations. LEAF is still active, with initiatives to
advance the interests of Aboriginal women, as well as interventions at
multiple court levels on issues relating to the equality rights of women
who suffer multiple oppressions. For more information, visit
www.leaf.ca.
The Charter is a part of the Constitution
Act, 1982, both of which are in the Canada Act, 1982, which
was signed by Queen Elizabeth II on April 17, 1982, in Ottawa. Once
governments updated laws to meet equality requirements, the equality
rights section of the Charter came into force on April 17, 1985.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Melissa MacLeod
Communications Specialist
Women's Policy Office
709-729-6225, 693-7938
melissamacleod@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Equality Provisions in the Canadian Charter
EQUALITY RIGHTS
15. (1) Every individual is
equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection
and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular,
without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour,
religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.
(2) Subsection (1) does not
preclude any law, program or activity that has as its object the
amelioration of conditions of disadvantaged individuals or groups
including those that are disadvantaged because of race, national or
ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical
disability.
RIGHTS GUARANTEED EQUALLY TO SEXES
28. Notwithstanding anything
in this Charter, the rights and freedoms referred to in it are
guaranteed equally to male and female persons.
2010 04 16
1:35 p.m.