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Executive Council
April 16, 2010

Minister 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joined women's groups across the country in the early 1980s when the equality rights provision was in danger of being superseded by provincial law.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.

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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.


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