Funding
Cuts to Women's Programs 'Profoundly Undemocratic'
Feds
targeting the most vulnerable groups say elementary teachers
Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario
October 6, 2006
Funding cuts to federal
programs protecting and promoting women's equality rights are profoundly
undemocratic, charges the Elementary
Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO).
In a letter sent to Prime Minister Harper today, ETFO president Emily Noble stressed that the reductions in funding are "shamefully targeting the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in our community."
"Reverse these cuts and policy changes," Noble urged the Prime Minister.
"The $5 million cut to the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada reduces essential support to women's equality-seeking groups throughout the country," said Noble. "Canada needs to ensure that autonomous women's groups survive, thrive and develop. Federal funding is a key component to ensuring that these groups can continue their work."
Also viewed as a further affront to Canadian women, said Noble, are the new funding guidelines that will prevent women's groups receiving federal funding from engaging in advocacy or lobbying.
"Canada cannot afford to silence these groups as your government proposes," Noble underlined.
Noting that women's representation in Parliament and Cabinet is "minimal", Noble said women's groups perform a vital function by raising awareness about women's issues and proposing policy and legislative changes.
Noble also characterized the government's elimination of the Court Challenges Program as an "attack on the equality rights of women and all other equality-seeking people in our country".
"Without this program, Canadian citizens seeking to enforce equality rights under the Canadian charter of Rights and Freedoms will not be able to access the court systems. Only wealthy individuals, corporations and unions will have that access."
Noble reminded the Prime Minister of his promise, in the last federal election campaign, to take "concrete and immediate measures" to ensure that Canada fully upholds its commitments to women. "The cuts you have made will prevent Canada from living up to its domestic responsibilities and international obligations as well."
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents 70,000 public elementary teachers and education workers across Ontario and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.
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