International Comparative Statistics
 

Women in Cabinet Current List 26th Ministry - CHRÉTIEN, Jean Joseph Jacques (1993.11.04 - ) BLONDIN-ANDREW, Ethel Dorothy Secretary of State (Training and Youth) 1993.11.04 - 1997.06.10 Secretary of State (Children and Youth) 1997.06.11 - BRADSHAW, Claudette Minister of Labour 1998.11.23 - CAPLAN, Elinor Minister of Citizenship and Immigration 1999.08.03 - COPPS, Sheila Maureen Minister of the Environment 1993.11.04 - 1996.01.24 Deputy Prime Minister 1993.11.04 - 1996.04.30 Minister of Communications 1996.01.25 - 1996.04.30 Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship 1996.01.25 - 1996.04.30 Deputy Prime Minister 1996.06.19 - 1997.06.10 Minister of Communications 1996.06.19 - 1996.07.11 Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship 1996.06.19 - 1996.07.11 Minister of Canadian Heritage 1996.07.12 - 1997.06.10 Minister of Canadian Heritage 1997.06.11 - FAIRBAIRN, Joyce Leader of the Government in the Senate 1993.11.04 - 1997.06.10 Minister with special responsibility for Literacy 1993.11.04 - 1997.06.10 FINESTONE, Sheila Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) 1993.11.04 - 1996.01.24 FRY, Hedy Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) 1996.01.25 - MARLEAU, Diane Minister of National Health and Welfare 1993.11.04 - 1996.01.24 Minister of Supply and Services 1996.01.25 - 1996.07.11 Minister of Public Works 1996.01.25 - 1996.07.11 Minister of Public Works and Government Services 1996.07.12 - 1997.06.10 Minister for International Cooperation 1997.06.11 - 1999.08.02 Minister responsible for Francophonie 1997.06.11 - 1999.08.02 MCLELLAN, A. Anne Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources 1993.11.04 - 1995.01.11 Minister of Forestry 1993.11.04 - 1995.01.11 Minister of Natural Resources 1995.01.12 - 1997.06.10 Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada 1997.06.11 - MINNA, Maria Minister for International Cooperation 1999.08.03 - ROBILLARD, Lucienne Minister of Labour 1995.02.22 - 1996.01.24 Minister responsible for the federal campaign in the upcoming Quebec referendum 1995.02.22 - 1996.01.24 Minister of Citizenship and Immigration 1996.01.25 - 1999.08.02 Acting Minister of Communications 1996.05.01 - 1996.06.18 Acting Minister of Multiculturalism and Citizenship 1996.05.01 - 1996.06.18 President of the Treasury Board 1999.08.03 - Minister responsible for Infrastructure 1999.08.03 - STEWART, Christine Susan Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) 1993.11.04 - 1997.06.10 Minister of the Environment 1997.06.11 - 1999.08.02 STEWART, Jane Minister of National Revenue 1996.01.25 - 1997.06.10 Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development 1997.06.11 - 1999.08.02 Minister of Human Resources Development 1999.08.03 - Right to Vote in Provincial Elections  Province  Right to Vote Provincially  Right to Stand for Provincial Office        Manitoba  January 28, 1916  January 28, 1916  Saskatchewan  March 14, 1916  March 14, 1916  Alberta April 19, 1916  April 19, 1916  British Columbia  April 5, 1917  April 5, 1917  Ontario  April 12, 1917  April 24, 1919  Nova Scotia  April 26, 1918  April 26, 1918  New Brunswick  April 17, 1919  March 9, 1934  Prince Edward Island  May 3, 1922  May 3, 1922  Newfoundland  April 13, 1925  April 13, 1925  Quebec  April 25, 1940  April 25, 1940               Right to Vote in Federal Elections There really is no one date when women earned the right to vote in federal elections. Canada's Federal Parliament passed several pieces of "temporary" legislation during the First World War which gave some women the right to vote (see "The War Time Legislation", below). The first (non emergency) permanent legislation which gave women the vote was the: The Women's Franchise Act 1918 Royal Assent May 24, 1918 (in force January 1919). This Act provided that every female person had the right to vote if she was: a British subject, at least 21 years of age possessed the same qualifications which would entitle a male person to vote in the province in which she resided. This act provided the provinces some control over the right to vote in federal elections (ie.property requirements). The Dominion By-Elections Act of 1919 gave women, for the first time, the right to be elected to Federal Parliament. Dominion Elections Act 1920 This legislation established uniform rules for voting in a federal election. There was no requirement to match provincial voting qualifications. The requirements for voting were: British Citizenship at least 21 years of age residence in Canada for at least 12 months residence in the riding (electoral district) for two months This act also permanently provided the right of women to be elected to Parliament.  Province  Right to Vote Provincially  Right to Stand for Provincial Office        Manitoba  January 28, 1916  January 28, 1916  Saskatchewan  March 14, 1916  March 14, 1916  Alberta April 19, 1916  April 19, 1916  British Columbia  April 5, 1917  April 5, 1917  Ontario  April 12, 1917  April 24, 1919  Nova Scotia  April 26, 1918  April 26, 1918  New Brunswick  April 17, 1919  March 9, 1934  Prince Edward Island  May 3, 1922  May 3, 1922  Newfoundland  April 13, 1925  April 13, 1925  Quebec  April 25, 1940  April 25, 1940

Women--Federal Political Representation Current List Last update:  2000.09.12 Last verified:  2000.09.14 Senate Political Party Number of Women Liberal 22 Progressive Conservative 11 Independent 1 Total 34 House of Commons Political Party Number of Women Liberal 37 Bloc Québécois 11 New Democratic Party 7 Canadian Alliance 3 Progressive Conservative 2 Total 60 Senate and House of Commons Political Party Number of Women Liberal 59 Progressive Conservative 13 Independent 1 Bloc Québécois 11 New Democratic Party 7 Canadian Alliance 3 Total 94       Women Candidates in General Elections 1921 to Date Party Affiliation and Numbers Elected Sources :  Documentation from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Note :  Women were given the right to run as candidates in federal elections in 1920. (An Act respecting the Election of Members of the House of Commons and the Electoral Franchise ("Dominion Elections Act"), S.C. 1920, c. 46, s. 38, assented to on July 1, 1920.) Date of Election Candidates Elected 1921.12.06 4 1 1925.10.29 4 1 1926.09.14 2 1 Note :  Prior to the general election of 1930 there is no data available as to party affiliations of candidates not elected to the House of Commons. Miss Agnes Campbell MacPhail was elected in 1921 and 1925 as a Progressive and in 1926 as a United Farmers of Ontario (U.F.O.) candidate. Date of Election Party Candidates Elected 1930.07.28 Liberal Party 3 0 Farmer 2 0 Progressive 1 1 Labour 1 0 Independent Conservative 1 0 Independent 1 0 Total 9 1 1935.10.14 Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 7 0 Reconstruction Party 5 0 Independent Conservative 1 1 United Farmers of Ontario-Labour 1 1 Liberal Party 1 0 Independent 1 0 Total 16 2 1940.03.26 Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 5 0 Unity (United Reform Party) 1 1 New Democracy 1 0 United Farmers of Ontario-Labour 1 0 Independent 1 0 Total 9 1 1945.06.11 Labour Progressive 8 0 Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 6 1 Progressive Conservative Party 2 0 Social Credit 2 0 Liberal Party 1 0 Total 19 1 1949.06.27 Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 5 0 Progressive Conservative Party 3 0 Union of Electors 2 0 Liberal Party 1 0 Total 11 0 1953.08.10 Labour Progressive 22 0 Progressive Conservative Party 10 3 Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 10 0 Liberal Party 3 1 Independent Liberal 1 0 Social Credit 1 0 Total 47 4 1957.06.10 Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 13 0 Progressive Conservative Party 5 2 Social Credit 5 0 Liberal Party 4 0 Independent Liberal 1 0 Labour Progressive 1 0 Total 29 2 1958.03.31 Liberal Party 8 0 Co-operative Commonwealth Federation 8 0 Progressive Conservative Party 3 2 Social Credit 2 0 Total 21 2 1962.06.18 Progressive Conservative Party 7 3 New Democratic Party 7 0 Liberal Party 6 2 Social Credit 4 0 Communist Party 1 0 Independent 1 0 Total 26 5 1963.04.08 New Democratic Party 13 0 Progressive Conservative Party 12 1 Liberal Party 6 3 Social Credit 6 0 Independent 2 0 Communist Party 1 0 Total 40 4 1965.11.08 New Democratic Party 16 1 Liberal Party 8 2 Progressive Conservative Party 8 1 Social Credit 3 0 Independent Liberal 1 0 Communist Party 1 0 Total 37 4 1968.06.25 New Democratic Party 21 1 Progressive Conservative Party 6 0 Social Credit 2 0 Ralliement des créditistes 2 0 Communist Party 2 0 Liberal Party 1 0 Independent Progressive Conservative 1 0 Independent 1 0 Total 36 1 1972.10.30 New Democratic Party 28 1 No Affiliation 18 0 Liberal Party 11 3 Progressive Conservative Party 6 1 Social Credit 5 0 Independent 3 0 Total 71 5 1974.07.08 New Democratic Party 42 0 Marxist-Leninist Party 29 0 Liberal Party 20 8 Communist Party 18 0 Progressive Conservative Party 11 1 Social Credit 8 0 Independent 6 0 No Affiliation 3 0 Total 137 9 1979.05.22 Marxist-Leninist Party 48 0 New Democratic Party 47 2 Liberal Party 21 6 Communist Party 19 0 Progressive Conservative Party 14 2 Rhinoceros Party 14 0 Libertarian 10 0 Union Populaire 10 0 Social Credit 7 0 Independent 4 0 No Affiliation 1 0 Total 195 10 1980.02.18 Marxist-Leninist Party 62 0 New Democratic Party 33 2 Liberal Party 23 10 Union Populaire 21 0 Progressive Conservative Party 14 2 No Affiliation 14 0 Social Credit 11 0 Libertarian 11 0 Rhinoceros Party 11 0 Communist Party 10 0 Independent 7 0 Total 217 14 1984.09.04 New Democratic Party 64 3 Liberal Party 44 5 Progressive Conservative Party 23 19 Communist Party 14 0 Rhinoceros Party 13 0 Green Party 11 0 Parti Nationaliste du Québec 11 0 Confederation of Regions Western Party 8 0 Independent 8 0 Social Credit 6 0 Libertarian 6 0 Party for the Commonwealth 4 0 No Affiliation 2 0 Total 214 27 1988.11.21 New Democratic Party 84 5 Liberal Party 53 13 Progressive Conservative Party 37 21 No Affiliation 32 0 Communist Party 20 0 Green Party 15 0 Rhinoceros Party 14 0 Libertarian 13 0 Party for the Commonwealth 11 0 Reform Party 8 0 Christian Heritage Party 6 0 Confederation of Regions Western Party 4 0 Independent 4 0 Social Credit 1 0 Total 302 39 1993.10.25 New Democratic Party 113 1 Progressive Conservative Party 67 1 Liberal Party 64 36 Natural Law Party 57 0 National Party 35 0 Abolitionist Party 24 0 Reform Party 23 7 No Affiliation 23 0 Marxist-Leninist Party 17 0 Green Party 16 0 Party for the Commonwealth 11 0 Bloc Québécois 10 8 Communist Party 5 0 Libertarian 5 0 Christian Heritage Party 5 0 Independent 1 0 Total 476 53 1997.06.02 New Democratic Party 107 8 Liberal Party 84 37 Progressive Conservative Party 56 2 Natural Law Party 38 0 Marxist-Leninist Party 28 0 Green Party 27 0 Reform Party 23 4 Bloc Québécois 16 11 Canadian Action Party 13 0 Christian Heritage Party 6 0 Independent 5 0 No Affiliation 5 0 Total 408 62 ©Library of Parliament Information and Documentation Branch

Ottawa -- June 2, 2000 (Amended June 20, 2000) -- An Aboriginal woman who says she was denied job opportunities because of her race and ethnic origin will appear before the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in June in Montreal http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/news-comm/2000/News-Releases-Jan-Jun/june2Ajuin.asp The fertlity rate of Aborgininal Women in BC is 3 times higher than that of the average Canadian woman; 6 times higher in young women. Accessiblity to abortion clinics are few and far between. Cultural pressures can be considered as the main cause for such high rates. As a result, STD's and HIV are a vast problem for these women. www3.undp.org/ww/women-health1/msg00064/html   First Nations Deserve First Class Health Care, http://www.ndp.ca/issues/downloads/aboriginal-health1.pdf “Canada’s aboriginal families are ravaged by poor health, from birth to premature death. This is a federal responsibility. The measure of our commitment to improving health care for all Canadians will be seen in the improved health of our Aboriginal population.” —NDP Leader Alexa McDonough. Life expectancy of Canada’s Aboriginal population is seven to eight years shorter than the Canadian average, and the infant mortality rate for Aboriginal Canadians is double that of the non-Aboriginal population. Fifty percent of Aboriginal children are living in poverty. The Institute for Child Health reports that between 1986-1990, the suicide rate for Indian children was more than five times the rate of non-Indian children. A 1995 federal government report found that water systems in one-quarter of all First Nations communities posed a danger to health and safety or did not meet basic government standards. Game Plan Needed to Tackle Student Debt, http://www.ndp.ca/issues/downloads/student-debt.pdf Debt for graduates has increased from an average $5,890 in 1990 to $9,427 today, an increase of 60%. Among the 29 industrialized nations, 27 have national grants to students. Only Canada and Japan do not.

The total number of fulltime males enrolment in Canadian Universities have decreased 3.40%, from 270,069 students in 1994, to 260,901 in 1999. While, the total number of fulltime females enrolled in Universities Nation wide has increased 4.33%, from 305,644 to 319,475 over the same time period. These are the percentages of female candidates riding in certain political parties in the 2000 National Canadian Election. NDP is running 26.17% females, Bloc Quebecois are running 24% female candidates, Liberals are represented by 21.67 % female candidates, PC's 13.45 % Canadian Alliance is represented by a poor 10.07 % female candidates. Source, Globe and Mail http://electiondb.theglobeandmail.com/gishome/plsql/election.election_pkg.an swer_finder_party?pi_party_code=all&party_question=male+female+ratio&pi_elec tion_code=1&iaction.x=7&iaction.y=12

This table shows the statistical discrepancy between divorced men and women; also widowed men and women.  The higher number of divorced and widowed women would suggest that they are in a far more financially precarious position than men.  Population by marital status and sex   1995 1996 1997 1998 1999   number of persons Total Both sexes 29,353,854 29,671,892 29,987,214 30,246,891 30,491,294   Male 14,537,509 14,691,777 14,850,874 14,981,301 15,103,411   Female 14,816,345 14,980,115 15,136,340 15,265,590 15,387,883 Single Both sexes 12,574,350 12,536,661 12,726,085 12,882,108 13,032,046   Male 6,719,031 6,704,605 6,805,838 6,888,319 6,968,698   Female 5,855,319 5,832,056 5,920,247 5,993,789 6,063,348 Married1 Both sexes 14,069,207 14,444,072 14,487,629 14,516,917 14,535,881   Male 7,028,219 7,212,581 7,232,936 7,246,915 7,254,051   Female 7,040,988 7,231,491 7,254,693 7,270,002 7,281,830 Widowed Both sexes 1,452,894 1,456,644 1,473,810 1,489,936 1,506,231   Male 251,023 250,575 257,432 264,217 271,153   Female 1,201,871 1,206,069 1,216,378 1,225,719 1,235,078 Divorced Both sexes 1,257,403 1,234,515 1,299,690 1,357,930 1,417,136   Male 539,236 524,016 554,668 581,850 609,509   Female 718,167 710,499 745,022 776,080 807,627 1. Includes persons legally married, legally married and separated, and persons living in common-law unions. Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM, Matrix 6213. Last modified: November 10, 2000.   Definitions and notes St. John's Halifax Saint John Chicoutimi - Jonquière Québec   Number 1996 Total families 47,590 91,015 34,555 45,075 182,770 Total husband-wife families 39,595 76,505 28,725 38,325 153,290 Families of married couples 35,505 67,105 25,915 30,180 111,645 Families of common-law couples 4,090 9,400 2,815 8,150 41,640 Total lone-parent families 7,995 14,510 5,825 6,750 29,485 Male parent 1,010 1,785 770 1,370 5,585 Female parent 6,980 12,725 5,055 5,380 23,895 1991 Total families 44,605 85,930 33,925 44,875 174,570 Total husband-wife families 37,865 73,940 28,545 38,865 148,640 Families of married couples 34,775 65,960 26,245 32,935 117,765 Families of common-law couples 3,085 7,980 2,295 5,930 30,875 Total lone-parent families 6,740 11,990 5,380 6,010 25,930 Male parent 960 1,765 845 960 4,660 Female parent 5,780 10,230 4,540 5,050 21,265 Source: Statistics Canada, 1996 Census Nation tables. Definitions and notes Sherbrooke Trois-Rivières Montréal Ottawa - Hull Oshawa   Number 1996 Total families 39,335 38,270 891,895 271,605 74,855 Total husband-wife families 32,630 32,100 736,550 229,120 64,320 Families of married couples 23,320 23,505 567,775 196,225 57,580 Families of common-law couples 9,310 8,600 168,770 32,895 6,745 Total lone-parent families 6,705 6,165 155,350 42,485 10,535 Male parent 1,260 1,105 25,650 7,065 1,850 Female parent 5,445 5,065 129,695 35,415 8,685 1991 Total families 37,635 37,610 866,245 252,225 66,975 Total husband-wife families 31,655 31,875 731,030 217,500 59,155 Families of married couples 24,640 25,325 593,505 190,510 54,065 Families of common-law couples 7,015 6,550 137,525 26,985 5,090 Total lone-parent families 5,975 5,735 135,210 34,730 7,815 Male parent 1,000 1,045 22,150 5,765 1,205 Female parent 4,975 4,685 113,060 28,960 6,610 Source: Statistics Canada, 1996 Census Nation tables.

80% of all aboriginal woman are subjected to some form of violence or abuse. Attempts are being made to end the male domination in aboriginal groups such as "band councils". http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/publish/research/abwom-e.pdf

One student writes:  Here are shocking statistics I came across in the HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT MEASURES GLOBAL GENDER GAP (1995). "Women still represent 70% of the 1.3 billion people living in poverty today" "Women hold an average of only 10% of parliamentary (legislative) seats and 6% of cabinet positions in national governments." "In 1994 Sweden crossed a milestone by being the first country in history to have 50% female representation among cabinet ministers. " "In many African countries, women account for more than 60% of the agricultural labour force and contribute up to 80% of the total food production ¾ yet receive less than 10% of the credit to small farmers and 1% of the total credit to agriculture. In 1990, multilateral banks allocated $5.8 billion for rural credit to developing countries, yet only 5% reached rural women. " "An estimated 100 million girls suffer genital mutilation." "In Thailand, 96.4% of the parliamentary seats are held by men; in the Republic of Korea, 99%. Worldwide, the average share of seats held by men is  around 90%." "Women work longer hours than men in nearly every country. Of the total burden of paid and unpaid work, women bear an average of 53% in developing countries and 51% in industrial countries. "

During the first part of 2000, only nine women were heads of State or Government.  In 1999 women represented eleven per cent of Parliamentarians worldwide. While women accounted for 12 per cent of corporate officers of the 560 largest corporations in Canada in 1999, they occupied only 3 per cent of the highest positions of those corporations. For much more timely  information, please turn to:  http://www.un.org/Depts/unsd/ww2000/overview.htm

Aboriginal Women  http://www.inac.gc.ca/ch/wmn/index_e.htmlhighest  Traditionally, Aboriginal women have commanded the respect within their communities as the givers of life.  Women contributed to decisions about family, property rights, and education and were the keepers of their peoples' cultural traditions. While clear divisions of labour existed, men's and women's work was equally valued.

Education
 

"Girls represent 17 percent of the Computer Science "AP" test takers" according to a new report, Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age, published by the American Association of University Women Educational Foundation.  "Girls are an untapped source of talent to lead the high-tech economy and culture. Curriculum developers, teachers, technology experts, and schools need to cultivate girls’ interest by infusing technology concepts and uses into subject areas ranging from music to history to the sciences in order to interest a broader array of learners."  "Girls are an untapped source of talent to lead the high-tech economy and culture. Curriculum developers, teachers, technology experts, and schools need to cultivate girls’ interest by infusing technology concepts and uses into subject areas ranging from music to history to the sciences in order to interest a broader array of learners."   SOURCE:  Why Doesn't Barbie Want To Play With Pascal?  Number of Men and Women Faculty in Science at MIT in 1994 and 1999                    1994       1999 MEN          252        235 WOMEN     22          31      How did inequities come about? "Gender discrimination" in 1999 "Given the tiny number of women faculty and the fact that they are essentially irreplaceable, one would have assumed that all tenured women would be treated exceptionally well-pampered, overpaid, indulged. Instead, they proved to be underpaid, to have unequal access to the resources of MIT, to be excluded from any substantive power within the University."  FROM:  A Study on the Status of Women Faculty in Science at MIT [ http://web.mit.edu/fnl/women/women.html

http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/People/Education/educ21.htm

Child Care:
 

· Survey information for 1991 indicates that, for an average poor urban family consisting of two adults and two children (and updating for increases in the cost of living to 1994), the daily dollar amount available to each family member is $14.60 (amounting to $21,300 annually). Using daily per-person expenditure estimates based on the Department of Agriculture's Thrifty Nutritious Food Plan ($4.75), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation data for shelter costs ($7.16) and Montreal Diet Dispensary estimates for clothing ($1.22), the daily cost of bare essentials for survival comes to $13.13. Out of the remaining $1.47 per person per day, families need to pay for personal care items, household needs, furniture, telephone, transportation, school supplies, health care and so on. There is no money for entertainment, recreation, reading materials, insurance, or charitable or religious donations.

Child Care in Canada:  Some statistics to consider 

http://www.signonforcanadaskids.org/res/sofckfs.html

http://www.childcarecanada.org/resources/prov_terr/prvtrr13.html

Youth Allowance recognizes that young people in rural and remote areas don’t have advantages that young people in cities have.

http://www.youthallowance.centrelink.gov.au/rural.htm

http://www.childcarecanada.org/resources/prov_terr/prvtrr13.html

Seniors

The average senior incomes in 1998 according to Stats Canada are:           -Elderly females average income is $ 20,372/year, which is $6,099 less than the male average income.           -Those that are earning their income on average get 31,388/year.  The male average is an amazing $15,689 more.           -Those that are retired or unemployed receive on average $ 19,552/year.                ...That is still $3,431 less than the male average.

Health Care

HIV and AIDS Among Women in Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/lcdc/bah/epi/epi311_e.html
This website discusses why HIV and AIDS among women is a major concern and how the number of women infected is increasing.
The Bureau of HIV/AIDS, STD and TB Update Series Laboratory Centre for Disease Control is response for the site

Body and Spirit: Window on Women’s health
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/real/women's_health/
This website discusses how women should remain healthy and has some real life stories 
Health Canada is response for the site
 

Though Canadian women live longer than men,  they have significantly higher rates of chronic illness, disability days, long-term activity limitations, depression, and physician visits;  and lower functional health status,  all of which translate into higher health care costs. Want to know more? Go to: http://www.medicine.dal.ca/mcewh/colman-health-stats/colman-distribution.htm

A report released on November 6th, by a web site via verticalnet.com, concerning privatisation of health care  was based on six regional assessments of health care reform and showed that, “shifting care from institutions to private households transfers care work from paid to unpaid family caregivers and  reinforces traditional gender roles.  Women continue to perform most of the  unpaid care giving work within the home,  often at a cost to their own health  or economic security.” http://www.nurses.com/content/homepage/

Breast Health (cancer and implants)
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/azindex.htm#breast
This link provides a number of links that are related to breast cancer and breast implants
Health Canada is responsible for the site

Women’s Health Bureau
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/women/english/
This website looks at women’s health needs and promotes good health.
Health Canada is responsible for the site

 

"We are also reducing the length of stay of patients in hospitals in order to return them as quickly as possible to the comfort of their homes. But, as a society, we have yet to address the tough issues: Who will provide these services to our aging population and to the members of our families who require special care? Who will be home to look after older or sick parents when both spouses are at work and children are at school? What is the role of government, of the community, of the family and, more specifically, of women?  If women are expected to carry most of these responsibilities, equality will be an impossible dream. "  Joceylyn Bourgon http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/ClerkSP-JB/Gender_e.htm

Violence Against Women:
 

Overall, in the 12 months between April 1, 1997, and March 31, 1998, a total of 90,792 women and children were admitted to 413 shelters that responded to the survey question. Of these, 47,962 were women and 42,830 were children (some of whom might have been accepted into the shelters more than once during the year). In 1997/98, operating costs for 411 shelters were $170 million, most of which came from government funding. The majority of abused women sought shelter from a spouse or partner Source:  http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/990611/d990611b.htm

· A conservative estimate of Violence Towards Women is that 1 in 10 women in Canada are abused by their male partner. In 1991, one half of all murdered women were shot to death. Every six days in Canada, a woman is shot to death by a man with a handgun, rifle or shotgun. Seventy-two percent of these guns were legally owned and 50% of victims were killed in the home. In Canada, an act of male violence against women occurs every six minutes. Half of these attacks occur in broad daylight. 75% of all assaults occur in the home. Half of our female children will be subject to unwanted sexual acts before they are 18 years old. http://www.kwmc.on.ca/resources/women/womstats.html

"The reality of male violence against women is  too disturbing for many people to believe. "

In 1986, we began counting each incident we were told about, a slightly larger number than total calls.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1986 994  1987 1200  1988 861  1989 848  1990 1191  1991 1284  1992 1421  1993 1504  1994 1439  1995 1191  1996 1284  1997 1532

On December 17, 1999 Hedy Fry, who is the federal Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women), allocated $180 000 to the Alberta Council of Women Shelters (ACWS). Source:  http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/news99/1217-e.html

1. http://www.gov.ns.ca/staw/abusefac/.html 

2. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/women/english/facts_violence.htm 

For information on women's shelters, please turn to The Daily News report, July 11, 1999 at the following URL:  http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/990611/d990611b.htm

Aboriginal Women:

1. http://www.elizabethfry.ca/litneeds/page11.htm 

 

Women in Government
Female Representation in the Senate, the House of Commons, and Provincial and Territorial Legislative Assemblies. Revised June 200. Elaine Campbell, Research Officer
http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/c56tx.htm

A total of 62 of the 301 MPs elected to the House of Commons in 1997 were women, but this constitutes only 21% of all MPs. Overall, 24.4% of candidates in the 1997 election were women, compared with 22% in 1993. In 1993, 53 women were elected, which represented only 18% of the 295 MPs at that time.

"Chretien's record of naming women to cabinet questioned",  by JIM MORRIS, Canadian Presshttp://www.canoe.ca/FedElection/jun15_chretien.html

Government of Canada Factsheet

"WOMEN AND WORK THE ROAD TO GENDER EQUALITY:  PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES",  a 1996 speech by the former Clerk of the Privy Council, Jocelyne Bourgon

Economics

"...over the next 15 years, our approach to parenthood and family responsibilities will be the determining factor in further progress toward gender equality.   ...In reality, many women have two jobs, one outside the home and another in the home.  It is estimated by Statistics Canada that women do two-thirds of the unpaid work in Canada." Quotation from Jocelyne Bourgon (with our emphasis)

Some 46% of new small businesses are led by women, making up nearly one-third of all firms in Canada. The growth rate for the self-employed women business sector from 1975 to 990 was 172.8% with 521,000 self-employed women in Canada in 1990. This gave the self-employed women employment sector the fastest growth rate of all employment sectors during that time. Businesses led by more than 700,000 women create jobs for some 1.7 million Canadians - more than the Canadian Business Top 100 companies ombined. This is four times the rate of the average firm. from:  Anne Schroder, Status of Women Canada, http://womenshistory.about.com/

from The Globe and Mail. More women join executive ranks, survey says. The study by the New York-based Catalyst found that 1,622 women are among the 12,945 corporate officers in the nation's 500 largest companies, or 12.5 per cent. That's up from 11.9 percent last year and 8.7 percent in 1995.

In Atlantic Canada, nearly one in five women live below Statistics Canada's low-income cut-off line.

Career PLace:  www.careerplace.com

This site is designed to aid aboriginal Canadian women in finding employment
in Canada.  It helps find contacts for these women and provides an
application form on the site so that these women can fill out and send it
quickly back in.  (*I believe that a downfall is that they mention it to be
faxed in*) The site just shows that efforts are being made to aid the the
aboriginal women of Canada.  The site is brief and informative providing
links to many other sites on Aboriginal Women.
 

Canadian full time employment             1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Males   6.3    6. 5    6.6    6.7    6.8 Females 4.2  4.3     4.4     4.4     4.4 http://www.enoreo.on.ca/met_update/rtf/human/appendix_44.htm

 

· United Nations Development Programme: Gender in Development. http://www.undp.org/gender/ Canada often boasts of its commitment to international aid and relief. This page focuses on international development and is especially focused on the role of both genders in the administration and participation in, this development.

Government Reports:

1. Status of Women Canada: GENDER-BASED ANALYSIS: A GUIDE FOR POLICY-MAKING: Working Document http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/ 

2. www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/publish/gbagid-e.html 

www.swc-cfc.gc.ca