21st Annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women

Whitehorse, September 24, 2002-- Building on more than 20 years of collaborative work, Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women met this week to examine ways to advance women's equality and exchange information on a number of important issues affecting women in Canada. The Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon co-hosted the forum, which was chaired by the Honourable Jean Augustine, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) and the Honourable Cynthia Tucker, Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women.

Ministers discussed ways to achieve women’s economic independence, address violence against women and improve women’s health.

Economic Issues:

Ministers received a progress report on approaches to getting women into high paying growth sectors where they are under-represented. They agreed, as a next step, to pursue discussions within their own jurisdictions on identifying strategies and partnerships for recruiting, retaining and promoting women in these sectors, including changing work culture.¹

Ministers also agreed to discussion on taxation and dependent care as a priority for the next year..

Violence Against Women:

Re-affirming their commitment to eliminating violence against women, Ministers agreed to release their statistical report on violence against women, Assessing Violence Against Women: A Statistical Profile in conjunction with the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in December 2002. Ministers acknowledged that important gaps in knowledge about prevalence and types of violence against women still exist.

Ministers also reviewed issues related to family violence and custody and access.

Women’s Health:

Ministers received a progress report on gender considerations in health research and population health reporting, including gender analysis in health indicators. Also as part of their discussion on health issues, Ministers also received information on the work of Ministers responsible for Seniors and the opportunities and challenges for governments across Canada as a result of our aging population.

The next meeting of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women is to take place in Alberta in 2003.

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¹ While sharing essentially the same concerns, the Government of Quebec does not participate in this working group since it considers that education and skills development are provincial issues. It does exchange, though, information and experience on this matter with the members of the F/P/T forum and will also pursue its own work in this area.

 

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For more information, please contact:

                                               

Anne Schroder            Status of Women Canada            (613) 943-1729            E-mail: anne.schroder@swc-cfc.gc.ca

Marcelle Dubé            Yukon Women’s Directorate            (867) 667-8269            E-mail: marcelle.dube@gov.yk.ca