This release was issued under a previous government.
Ministers attending the 34th Annual Meeting of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women. Back row: Hon. Joanne Bernard (Nova Scotia), Hon. Cathy Bennett (Newfoundland and Labrador), Hon. Caroline Cochrane (Northwest Territories), Hon. Elaine Taylor (Yukon), Hon. Monica Ell-Kanayuk (Nunavut). Front row: Hon. Tracy MacCharles (Ontario), Hon. Paula J. Biggar (Prince Edward Island), Hon. Stephanie McLean (Alberta), The Hon. Patty Hajdu (Canada), Hon. Tina Beaudry-Mellor (Saskatchewan), Hon. Rochelle Squires (Manitoba)
The Ministers addressed priority issues for women and girls at the meeting including ending violence against women and girls, reducing the gender wage gap, and enhancing the use of Gender-based Analysis (GBA) in decision-making as a critical tool for advancing gender equality.
Ministers shared updates based on their respective actions in their own jurisdictions to reduce and prevent gender-based violence, including violence against Indigenous women and girls, as well as human trafficking. The Ministers agreed to identify further opportunities for complementary actions among provincial/territorial strategies addressing violence against women and girls, and the Federal Strategy Against Gender-based Violence that is now being developed. Ministers have agreed to explore additional opportunities for collaboration to address sexual violence, such as the issue of low reporting rates and appropriate response mechanisms. They have also discussed opportunities to strengthen data collection and reporting on gender-based violence, and to explore the development of a monitoring and reporting framework.
Experts shared their insights on improving data collection, reducing and eliminating the gender wage gap, and supporting Indigenous women in leadership roles. These presentations helped inform Ministers on the best practices to achieve these goals and built upon recent actions by the FPT forum including the promotion of women in leadership positions on private and public boards, and increasing women’s representation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, as well as in the skilled trades.
Ministers discussed ways to improve the implementation of GBA across jurisdictions. Ministers also heard about innovative strategies being advanced by the governments of Quebec and Yukon which focus on the development of gender equality indicators and indices to help track progress on gender equality. Going forward, Ministers agreed to continue to share their respective experiences, challenges, and possible solutions for the enhanced implementation of GBA.
Quick facts
- This week’s meeting of Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for the Status of Women was co-chaired by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister of Status of Women, and the Honourable Stephanie McLean, Minister of Service Alberta and Status of Women.
- The next Annual Meeting of the FPT Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women will be hosted by Ontario in 2017 (June 21-23).
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is firmly committed to gender equality and is working with provinces and territories to address the important issues facing women and girls in Canada today. This collaboration makes it possible to create more opportunities for women and girls in all aspects of Canadian life, and build the healthy, inclusive society we want as a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren.”
“Today, I re-affirmed our government’s resolve to act swiftly, thoughtfully and in partnership to achieve gender equality in Alberta and all across the country. We will keep working until all women and girls feel safe, supported, and empowered to participate fully in the world around them.”