July 25, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Today, the Federal, Provincial, and Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women concluded their 42nd annual meeting, continuing a tradition that began with their inaugural gathering in Ottawa in 1982. Throughout the years, these meetings have demonstrated the important role of FPT contributions in advancing gender equality in Canada. This year’s meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Marci Ien, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, and the Honourable Nahanni Fontaine, Manitoba’s Minister of Families, Minister responsible for Accessibility, and Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity.
The Ministers highlighted the progress made since the launch of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence* (GBV) in 2022. Over the last year, the federal government signed bilateral agreements with each provincial and territorial government, as part of a $539.3 million investment to prevent GBV and support victims and survivors. The Ministers discussed their jurisdictions’ diverse approaches to preventing and addressing GBV in ways that reflect their distinct contexts and priorities. They agreed that GBV persists and demands continued collaboration and action across Canada.
The Ministers exchanged best practices and discussed innovative approaches to ending GBV, including involving men and boys, addressing misogyny and promoting positive masculinity. Ministers also discussed challenges facing 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Furthermore, the Ministers held a dialogue on identifying best practices and strategies to support economic equality for women. They emphasized the need to focus on opportunities that work towards closing the persistent gender pay gap.
The Ministers pledged to remain vigilant and address these crucial issues, recognizing the necessity of protecting and advancing gender equality in the face of evolving and emerging challenges.
The FPT ministerial meeting was preceded by a separate meeting between Ministers and National Indigenous Leaders and Representatives (NILRs) to discuss shared priorities affecting Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit people, and gender-diverse people in Canada. During this discussion, Ministers and NILRs celebrated Indigenous women’s and 2SLGBQTI+ people’s achievements as leaders and as drivers of Indigenous economic and social empowerment.
Quotes
“The collaborative spirit of this year's FPT ministerial meeting underscores our commitment to proactively forge paths that lead to substantive results. Amid recent international events that have threatened women’s rights, and rights for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, it is clear gender equality is not a given, but a continuous struggle that requires our relentless effort and vigilance.”
The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
Government of Canada
“Women, girls, and gender-diverse people deserve more than just safety – they deserve support, success, and celebration. I want to lift the people and organizations across the country already doing this critical work, while joining Canada and my provincial and territorial colleagues as we recommit to empowering women, girls, and gender-diverse people as the means of their own collective liberation.”
The Honourable Nahanni Fontaine, Minister of Families, Minister responsible for Accessibility, Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity
Government of Manitoba
Quick facts
* Gender-based violence is a priority for the Government of Québec, which has invested significant funds to end violence against women. However, although it supports the overall objectives of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the Government of Québec cannot adhere to it because it intends to retain its full responsibility in this area on its territory. Through an agreement that respects its autonomy, the Government of Québec expects to receive its fair share of federal funding to support the programs, initiatives, and services to end gender-based violence that it puts in place based on the needs of its territory.
** Quebec 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.
Associated links
Contacts
Carolyn Svonkin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth
Carolyn.Svonkin@fegc-wage.gc.ca
Media Relations
Women and Gender Equality Canada
819-420-6530
FEGC.Media.WAGE@fegc-wage.gc.ca