40th Annual Meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women
News Release – 40th Annual Meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women
Federal-provincial-territorial ministers responsible for the Status of Women mark 40 years of meeting to advance gender equality
November 9, 2022 – Pictou County, Nova Scotia
The Federal, Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Forum of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women marked its 40th anniversary at the ministers’ annual meeting – capped by the announcement of the first National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence (GBV).1
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Marci Ien, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and by the Honourable Karla MacFarlane, Nova Scotia’s Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act.
Ministers discussed key issues that impact the advancement of gender equality in Canada, including women’s economic participation and prosperity, leadership and democratic participation, and Gender-Based Analysis Plus. Ministers also shared best practices in their respective jurisdictions and reflected on the FPT Forum’s impact on advancing the status of women over the past four decades.
Building on their January 2021 Joint Declaration for a Canada Free of Gender-Based Violence2, which highlighted the longstanding commitments of FPT governments to eliminate GBV and advance gender equity for all Canadians, today FPT ministers endorsed the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
The meeting was preceded by a separate meeting between FPT ministers and national Indigenous leaders and representatives to discuss key priorities, including addressing violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people, the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Indigenous women’s leadership.
1 Gender-based violence is a priority issue for Québec, and it has made significant investments to end violence against women. Although it subscribes to the general objectives of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, Québec cannot adhere to it as it intends to retain full responsibility in this area within its territory. However, it expects to receive its fair share of federal funding, within the framework of a bilateral agreement that respects its autonomy, in order to support the programs, initiatives and services to end gender-based violence that it puts in place based on the needs on its territory.
2 Québec supports the general principles of the joint declaration and will continue to be active in the fight against gender-based violence by prioritizing its own actions and measures. It also intends to continue to share information and best practices with other governments on this issue.
Quotes
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For 40 years FPT ministers have been gathering to lead the charge on addressing critical issues that face women in Canada. While today we stand proud, shoulder-to-shoulder to celebrate and reflect on this historic milestone — we know there is still much work left to do to ensure the full participation of women in the economic, social, and democratic life in this country. Together FPT ministers are committed to creating a more inclusive, safer Canada for all.
The Honourable Marci Ien, P.C., M.P. Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Government of Canada |
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It’s been an honour to co-chair this year’s meeting and to host Ministers and Indigenous leaders from across the country here in Pictou. Through this meeting, we have reinforced our commitment to eliminating gender-based violence and gender equality with the announcement of our country’s first National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence. I look forward to continuing our work to address issues impacting gender equality.
Honourable Karla MacFarlane, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act
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Quick facts
The Forum has met annually since 1982 to share information, and best practices regarding status of women.
This latest meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the status of women was co-chaired by the Honourable Marci Ien, federal Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and the Honourable Karla MacFarlane, Nova Scotia’s Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women Act.
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for the status of women meet annually to share information, exchange best practices and explore issues and opportunities to advance gender equality.
Associated Links
National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence a significant step towards gender equality
Backgrounder: National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence
Joint Declaration for a Canada free of Gender-based violence
Contacts
Johise Namwira
Press Secretary and Issues Manager
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
Government of Canada
Cell: 873-353-0985
Media Relations
Women and Gender Equality Canada
1-855-969-9922
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