34th Annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women

September 15, 2016  – Edmonton, Alberta

The  34th Annual Meeting of Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT)  Ministers responsible for the Status of Women took place this week in Edmonton,  Alberta. The Ministers addressed priority issues for women and girls  at the meeting including ending violence  against women and girls, reducing the gender wage gap, and enhancing the use of  Gender-based Analysis (GBA) in decision-making as a critical tool for advancing  gender equality .

Ministers  shared updates based on their respective actions in their own jurisdictions to reduce  and prevent gender-based violence, including violence against Indigenous women  and girls, as well as human trafficking. The Ministers agreed to identify further  opportunities for complementary actions among provincial/territorial strategies  addressing violence against women and girls, and the Federal Strategy Against Gender-based Violence that is now being  developed. Ministers have agreed to explore additional opportunities for  collaboration to address sexual violence, such as the issue of low reporting  rates and appropriate response mechanisms.  They have also discussed opportunities to  strengthen data collection and reporting on gender-based violence, and to  explore the development of a monitoring and reporting framework.

Experts shared their insights on improving  data collection, reducing and eliminating the gender wage gap, and supporting  Indigenous women in leadership roles. These  presentations helped inform Ministers on the best practices to achieve these  goals and built upon recent actions by the FPT forum including the promotion of  women in leadership positions on private and public boards, and increasing  women's representation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)  fields, as well as in the skilled trades.

Ministers discussed ways to improve the  implementation of GBA across jurisdictions. Ministers also heard about  innovative strategies being advanced by the governments of Quebec and Yukon which  focus on the development of gender equality indicators and indices to help  track progress on gender equality. Going forward, Ministers agreed to continue  to share their respective experiences, challenges, and possible solutions for  the enhanced implementation of GBA.

Quick Facts

   
• This week's  meeting of Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for the  Status of Women was co-chaired by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister  of Status of Women, and the Honourable Stephanie McLean, Minister of Service  Alberta and Status of Women.

   
• The next Annual  Meeting of the FPT Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women will be hosted  by Ontario in 2017 (June 21-23).

Quotes

"The Government  of Canada is firmly committed to gender equality and is working with provinces and  territories to address the important issues facing women and girls in Canada  today. This collaboration makes it possible to create more opportunities for  women and girls in all aspects of Canadian life, and build the healthy,  inclusive society we want as a lasting legacy for our children and  grandchildren."

 The  Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Status of Women

"Today, I  re-affirmed our government's resolve to act swiftly, thoughtfully and in  partnership to achieve gender equality in Alberta and all across the country.  We will keep working until all women and girls feel safe, supported, and  empowered to participate fully in the world around them."  

Honourable  Stephanie McLean
Minister  of Service Alberta and Status of Women

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Inquiries

Nanci-Jean  Waugh
Director General,  Communications and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
Tel: 819-420-6810

TBC – Alberta