The N C W C Newsletter MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT There is so much to say - so much has been happening. By the time you read this, the election will be over, but no matter how things turn out, we will still have work to do.

One day on my own Facebook page, I commented on an article which stated that many people were upset with the fact that the “anti-communist” memorial in Ottawa was going to cost almost $6 million. I stated that, in this time of recession, maybe our money would be better spent on health care, women’s shelters and housing for the homeless. One man jumped all over that saying that “my issues” had already been dealt with...Sigh.

Women who want to wear the niqab have had to appeal to the Supreme Court, which granted the request to wear it when taking the citizenship oath and voting. There is an anecdotal story about a young Jewish boy going to see his bubbe (grandmother) and his mother tells him to wear his Kippah (skull cap) as his bubbe would be so proud. When he gets to his bubbe’s home, she pulls it off his head and says, “I came to this country so you wouldn’t have to wear that.” The boy’s mother says, “No, you came to this country so he could have a choice.”

Our Common Program for 2015-17 is “Safety and Security of Persons.” This can encompass a wide variety of issues, e.g., violence against women. For years we have urged more support for shelters, transitional housing, counselling services, as well as adequate income support for women and their children striving to escape the repetitive cycle of violence. Increasing staffing levels of police forces, providing they are trained for these sorts of intervention, would be useful. Of particular concern is the necessity to ensure that aboriginal women and immigrant women can have speedy access to safe and timely protection.

A CBC article (Dec. 6/13) entitled “7 Sobering Stats About Violence Against Women in Canada” lists the following:

Half of all Canadian women have experienced physical or sexual violence.

Sexual assault and partner violence costs the country $9 billion a year.

More than 3,000 women stay in shelters on a given night to escape abuse.

At least 668 Aboriginal women and girls are missing or murdered.

Women are 11 times more likely to be victims of sexual offences.

Young women are most at risk.

Thousands of children are exposed to partner violence. See: www.cbc.ca/....7-sobering-stats-about-violence-against-women-in-Canada As I was writing this, I saw an article in the news – a young woman and mother named Selena Keeper from Winnipeg was brutally beaten on October 8th and her abusive ex-boyfriend is charged with killing her.

Selena had gone to court five months earlier in an attempt to get a protection order

against him. She decided to seek the protection order after an incident

in April when he had slapped her across the face – she swore out an affidavit but the

allegations were not proven. Selena had also said she was concerned because he

belonged to a street gang and might have access to weapons.

Selena spoke to Justice of the Peace (JP) Debra Motuz by phone in an attempt to get a

protection order against ex-boyfriend Ray William Everett, stating that he had physically

cont’d on page 2...

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President’s Message …...………………..1-2

Articles to look for on NCWC website .2

NCWC Education Fund/NCWCDO …..3

NCWCDO Success Story .………………..4

NCWC Executive ..………………………….4

Local Women’s Councils ……...…….5–8

Provincial Women’s Councils ……..9-10

Study Groups …….………………………...10

Standing Study Committees …………..11

Commission on Status of Women …..12

International Council of Women ..12-14

Honouring NCWC Women ………..15-16

Celebrating Women ………………….17-18

Issues that Concern NCWC ……….18-19

Dates to Remember ……………………..20

November 2015 Volume 15, Issue 2

NCWC has worked for over 120 years to improve

the quality of life for women, their families and communities

www.ncwcanada.com

www.facebook.com/thencwc pres@ncwcanada.com

DISTRIBUTE The NCWC Newsletter to

YOUR MEMBERS. Spread the news!

ATTENTION

NEXT ISSUE: March 2016

SUBMISSIONS: February 15

Click links to redirect to web

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT abused her on a regular basis during their two year relationship, even kicking her in the stomach when she

was pregnant. However, the JP rejected Selena’s request for the protection order which would have required

that he not contact her at all.

“It’s an extraordinary remedy to be granted a protection order and it’s only to be granted when serious

and urgent circumstances indicate a need for prompt action to protect the victim,” Motuz said toward the

end of the 15-minute hearing. “Based on the time frame – today being May 19, which is some five to six

weeks after the last incident – I am not satisfied that you require protection on an immediate basis.” The

JP then formally dismissed the application and asked Keeper if she understood. “All right?” “Yeah,”

Keeper replied softly. – Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press (/author/Canadian-press), October 13, 2015 – 3:44pm

Protection orders are a deterrent – which sometimes work and sometimes not. However, in this case,

I believe Selena’s welfare was put in jeopardy to fulfill the letter of the law. Is there no ‘wiggle room’ in the

application of a protection order, and does a JP have the discretion to use his/her own judgement in

interpreting “the need for prompt action?” How many times does the law have to fail women before women’s

lives are put first. How many times has this happened to other women, and how many times will it happen

again?

Act to End Violence Against Women wrote that “Access to lawyers and the ability to pay for a lawyer is a huge

stumbling block for many women who are trying to extricate themselves from an abusive relationship.

Recently, Legal Aid Ontario has adjusted their rules about the threshold for victims of domestic violence and

that has helped a bit. The other problem is finding competent Legal Aid lawyers who do family law and who

‘get’ abuse.”

“In 2014, the RCMP released an unprecedented report looking at police-recorded incidents of missing and

murdered indigenous women across the country. It found that between 1980 and 2012, there were 1,017

homicides and 164 outstanding missing-person cases. Within that time period, there are 225 unsolved cases:

105 women have been missing for more than 30 days and their disappearances are categorized as either “foul

play suspected” or “unknown” and 120 homicide cases have not been solved.” – Kathryn Blaze Baum, The Globe

and Mail, Politics Live

The National Council of Women of Canada have been instrumental in achieving many of the rights that women

now enjoy. We have been staunch defenders of those rights, and we will continue to be. We have been

working to improve the quality of life for women and children for almost 123 years, and we are needed more

than ever as a strong, independent, self-funded organization. Most importantly, we will also continue to

advocate - with strength and with conviction - for those who need us most: women and children, families and

communities, and the most vulnerable in our society.

Rest in peace Selena Keeper.

Karen Monnon Dempsey, President, National Council of Women of Canada NEW NCWC EMAIL pres@ncwcanada.com ———————————————————————————————

"Update on Polygamy Case in British Columbia," by Karen Monnon Dempsey, President, National Council

of Women of Canada, November 2015.

"Who is Meeting the Needs of the Older People and Persons with Disabilities in War-Torn Syria?"

by Thelma A. McGillivray, MSW, Member of Provincial Council of Women of Ontario, November 2015.

"Why do Organizations Flouish or Flounder?" by Sandra Cohen-Rose, Vice President, Public Relations,

National Council Women of Canada (2015-2016), and Past President, Montreal Council of Women (2006-

2008; 2011-2013)

“Canada’s Role in Nuclear Non-Proliferation,” letter to Prime Minister Harper, June 4, 2015, by Karen

Monnon Dempsey, President, National Council of Women of Canada, November 2015.

...cont’d from page 1

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ARTICLES TO LOOK FOR ON NCWC’S WEBSITE CLICK on Issues that Concern NCWC

NCWC EDUCATION FUND SHINING A LIGHT ON STIGMA AND MENTAL HEALTH 2015 AGM PROGRAM

The National Council of Women Education Fund (NCWCEF) Board Members wish to thank all those who have supported our latest 2011-2015 series of joint NCWC/NCWEF programs on Women and Mental Health, by attending the four AGM programs and/or making donations

through the year. Your interest and involvement have helped us move this initiative forward.

For instance, most recently, our May program on ‘Homelessness & Mental Health’, “Shone a Light on” the very progressive, compassionate and effective work of front-line individuals and agencies, such as Matthew Pearce President & CEO of the Old Brewery Mission; Ruth Bresnen, Logifem Inc. Montréal and Diana Pizzuti, Director of Programmes at the Y des femmes de Montréal / YWCA of Montreal.

Heading up the program, lead speaker, Lauren Roy, McGill University and the Mental Health Axis at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, very effectively set the stage for the panel with an excellent outline of her research into homelessness and mental health. Her presentation can be found on our NCWC web site at www.ncwcanada.com; Home/Issues/Mental Health/Background/Articles and Reports.

All in all, the 2015 program acted as an excellent bridge between the 2011-2015 Common program topic of mental health and the upcoming 2015-2017 Common Program of “Safety and Security of Persons”, which in a recent memo NCWC President Karen Dempsey described as being “so broad as to encompass a wide variety of subjects, e.g. ..security of food or housing,…Aboriginal women, bullying,… violence against women.”

We are looking forward to planning our next year’s AGM program and have already heard of Councils who are working on the new joint NCWC/NCWC Education Fund Common Program.

Gracia Janes, President, NCWC Educational Fund

NCWC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Thirty years ago, the members of NCWC formed the NCWCDO to support educational and social welfare programs for women and children in Third World countries as well as in Canada. Since then members have raised funds annually to provide assistance for

specific projects, in designated communities, for the advancement of literacy and basic education and for skills training for women and girls.

Monies collected in 2014-2015 supported literacy and vocational skills training projects in Kenya and Pakistan.

Members are encouraged to submit projects that they want to be considered for financial support. Within your own community, elsewhere in your province or another, or in another country, there are organizations that have projects that deserve to be considered by NCWCDO for financial aid. Please consider letting NCWCDO know about in these projects!

Donations, by individuals or groups, are always welcomed and those over $50 are recognized in the NCWCDO Annual Report. This is a non-profit organization and tax receipts are issued for donations over $10. Local and Provincial Councils are urged to hold a special fundraising event during the year in order to support NCWCDO in the help it offers to improve the lives of so many.

Carol Schweitzer, Chair, NCWCDO

3

RECEIPTS

Receipts for tax purposes will be issued promptly for donations to NCWC Education Fund and NCWCDO.

NCWC EDUCATION FUND DONATIONS

Mail your CHEQUE or MONEY ORDER to NCWC Education Fund P.O. Box 67099 Ottawa, ON, K2A 4E4. OR On line by CREDIT CARD to CanadaHelps.org

NCWCDO DONATIONS

Mail your CHEQUE or MONEY ORDER to

NCWCDO Treasurer P.O. Box 67099 RPO Westboro Ottawa, ON K2A 4E4 OR On line by CREDIT CARD to CanadaHelps.org

NCWCDO SUCCESS STORY

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NCWCDO FUNDS HELP L’ECHELON DES PAYS-D’EN-HAUT Esperanza, A Story of Hope

Last November the participants of Echelon des Pays-d’en-Haut

www.echelonpaysdenhaut.com, were thrilled and proud to present

their production of a video “Esperanza, a History of Hope” which was

shown during a conference on democracy organized by three

important groups of alternative resources for mental health in Quebec.

The video was a collective work of the patients of L’Echelon who are

following workshops on art therapy. The video used the technique of

Chinese shadows to illustrate how a person goes through her

integration into an alternative resource.

Once again, the patients showed much courage and determination when working together. The

finished product contributed to enhance the importance of L’Echelon in their lives and the feeling of

their well-being in the congenial atmosphere of the organization.

L’Echelon is grateful to NCWCDO for their contribution toward the production of the video and wish to

acknowledge publicly its support with their project. They also wish to thank artists Annik, Samantha,

Nicole, Françoise and Claude Millet who acted as mentors and volunteer artists who directed the

patients toward the production of a small but important work of art. Thanks were conveyed to

NCWCDO on behalf of the center by Lucie Arcand, Coordonnatrice, L’Echelon des Pays-d’en-Haut

(734 rue Principale, Piedmont, Québec, JOR !KO)

Jeanne Maranda, Member of CPFQ-PCWQ

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Six National Vice-Presidents, including two new Vice-Presidents from Local Ottawa Council

At NCWC’s 122th Annual General Meeting on May 23, 2015, in

Montreal, two new Vice-Presidents, Sheila Pepper and

Jeannette Logan from Ottawa were elected, both members of

local, provincial and/or national councils for many years.

There are six national vice-presidents who have different areas

of responsibility. 1st Vice-president: Kelly-Ann Stevenson of

Winnipeg, Justice; the others: Patricia Leson of Prince Albert,

Administration; Sandra Cohen-Rose of Montreal, PR; Barbara

Hall of Vancouver, Economic Affairs; Jeannette Logan of

Aylmer, Québec, Environment; and Sheila Pepper of Ottawa,

Social Development.

We will serve a minimum of two years, and a maximum of four. The NCWC executive is preparing top

national issues for the election campaign: our Environment committee has chosen energy and water

policy and strategy as urgently requiring action

For more information on NCWC, consult our website www.ncwcanada.com

Jeannette Logan, Vice President, Environment

NCWC EXECUTIVE

Newly elected NCWC Vice-Presidents, Sheila Pepper and Jeanette Logan with Ottawa Council President Karen Monnon Dempsey at the NCWC AGM in Montreal, June 2015

NEWS—LOCAL COUNCILS

5

HALIFAX

In a recent mailing from NCWC Development Organization, it was very interesting and rewarding to read about the support for listening to the voices of girls.

Just last month we had a Recognition Event. This year we recognized a young woman Meredith Otley.

At ages seven and eight, Meredith visited Africa with her parents and while there was able to visit the child they had been supporting. Even at such a young age Meredith recognized that there was something wrong. She started a couple of projects with help from her parents. She raised $1,500 for these.

She then decided at about thirteen she wanted to correct a wrong and improve things. Children in one area of Senegal did not have a school. Meredith wanted to do a project on her own. She follows many of the principles that we have in our councils. She set about working and she raised $15,000 through her own initiatives. Now a school in Senegal has a school. Meredith is fifteen years old.

With young women like Meredith, we can look to a future where they will be recognizing and responding to the many needs they see.

One of the questions asked of Meredith was “Do you think young women have enough opportunities to express their thoughts and be involved in initiatives they want to follow?” The answer was quiet and thoughtful...not really.

This is food for thought for all of us. Here in Halifax we are starting to look at ways we might be able to include young women more and follow their thoughts and ideas to improving things.

We are pleased with the response from our use of social media. Our goal is to reach a wider audience. We often think we are a well-kept secret, but that is changing. We will continue using these connections to the wider public.

We have a very enthusiastic committee starting to work on a major membership campaign that should be ready to launch in the New Year. The committee says the goal is to have every woman in Halifax know who we are and what we do.

This month we will recognize a young woman who has impressed us with her thoughtfulness and commitment to make improvements. We will have a report on the actual event for the next newsletter.

Sandra MacLennan, President, LCW Halifax ———————————————————————————————

MONTREAL

As MCW members look forward to another eventful year, we fervently embrace this year’s theme: “Violence Against Women,” which is encompassed within the NCWC theme of, “Safety and Security of Persons.” This includes security of food and/or housing, bullying, as well as issues faced by Aboriginal women.

The first MCW meeting saw many members come out to hear the very inspiring story of 19-year-old Hannah Taylor, a young woman from Manitoba, who at the tender age of eight, founded for the homeless, the Ladybug Foundation. Hannah is listed among the “100 Most Powerful Women in Canada!” Now, she is a student at Montreal’s McGill University, majoring in social work and women’s studies, Ms. Taylor eventually hopes to become a Human Rights lawyer. Hannah’s presentation was the first of the year, following our theme of “Violence against Women”.

For the month of October, MCW has organized a Round Table Discussion focusing on Women’s issues, with invitations to women candidates representing the three major political parties: Alexandra Mendes, represented the Liberals in the riding of Brossard-St. Lambert, and Anne Lagacé Dowson represented the NDP in the riding of Papineau. They spoke to the membership about their political beliefs, the platforms of their parties and their

priorities on the following themes: Women's Economic Equality and Security, Women's Health, and Gender Equality. In addition, there was a brief discussion on the future of Status of Women Canada including its funding, provision of services and advocacy. Unfortunately, the Conservative candidate was unable to attend. cont’d on page 6...

NEWS—LOCAL COUNCILS

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MONTREAL

The moderator for the Discussion was the Honourable Eleni Bakopanos, who had been Government Affairs Convenor for MCW. This was a very informative and enlightening presentation and hopefully was able to help members make a decision on the upcoming Federal elections. The take home message was a strong encouragement to exercise one’s franchise, to vote and to encourage others to vote.

In November, we will be privy to hear Dr. Shaheen Shariff, a Professor from McGill University, who is a North American expert on the subjects of digital citizenship and cyberbullying. Dr. Shariff’s topic will be about the “Rape Culture at Universities”.

This year, during our Woman of the Year Award, we look to honouring a woman, who has made a difference in the fight to improve the lives of women by alleviating the violence against them.

Following the 4th International World March of Women launched on March 8th, 2015, which is also International Women’s Day, the Federation des Femmes du Quebec will culminate on October 17, 2015 with a march. This March is “a global social movement that aims to eliminate the causes of poverty and violence against women.”

The MCW Woman of the Year luncheon will be held on December 4, 2015 and we welcome all LCW, PCW and NCWC members, who may be in Montreal at that time. The award for the Woman of the Year for the Prevention of Violence against Women will be held appropriately just before Montreal marks the December 6th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre of 14 women.

Chitra Chopra, President, Montreal Council of Women

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PRINCE ALBERT

In celebration of Persons’ Day, and as a way of bringing attention to this important day, The Prince Albert Council of Women hosted a federal candidates’ forum on October 15th. The event was well attended. The discussion centered on issues of importance to women, children and families. President Chrissy Halliday explained the origin and the importance of Persons’ Day at the start of the forum. Council member, Randi Arnot, moderated the forum. Both did excellent jobs and were great ambassadors for the Prince Albert Council of Women. We wish to extend a huge thank you to the candidates who attended our Forum.

Local media attended and we received good coverage for our event. These are links to two of the stories, one by the Prince Albert Daily Herald and the other by our on-line media www.paNOW.com:

http://www.paherald.sk.ca/News/Local/2015-10-15/article-4311072/Final-candidates-forum-addresses-women%26rsquo%3Bs-

issues/1 AND http://panow.com/article/537959/federal-candidates-discuss-issues-important-women

Local media attended and we received good coverage for our event. These are links to two of the stories, one by the Prince Albert Daily Herald and the other by our on-line media www.paNOW.com:

http://www.paherald.sk.ca/News/Local/2015-10-15/article-4311072/Final-candidates-forum-addresses-women%26rsquo%3Bs-issues/1 AND http://panow.com/article/537959/federal-candidates-discuss-issues-important-women

Throughout this winter, we will continue to look for ways in which to serve our community and also ways in which we can showcase the Prince Albert Council of Women. We hope to host other events which will be of interest to women in Prince Albert and area.

As well, over the winter, we will begin to make plans for our Annual Induction Ceremony into our Women’s Hall of Fame. Each year, this is held on or around International Women’s Day. We send out a call to the public for nominations and the selection committee chooses one inductee. This has become a popular event in Prince Albert and is always well attended. The Prince Albert Council of Women is pleased to provide the opportunity to focus on the accomplishments of deserving women from our community each year with Induction Ceremony into the Women’s Hall of Fame.

Crystal Halliday, President, Prince Albert Council of Women

...cont’d from page 5

NEWS—LOCAL COUNCILS

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ST. CATHARINES AND DISTRICT

A major outcome of the past year has been our efforts relating to the planned 5 years of shipments of nuclear waste, intended to be transported past the Great Lakes and through the Niagara Region. We will be following up on this initiative at every opportunity.

Our local council is geared to another successful year as we approach our 100th anniversary, and will be seeking ideas to celebrate such an achievement. The St Catharines and District Council of Women have selected three main areas for focus in 2015/2016 including an updated approach to outreach with social media and revised materials, active growth of the council membership, and a review of the governing bylaws.

We have recently hosted two topics for discussion, Alzheimer’s and Other Forms of Dementia, and Scientific Document Destruction. Upcoming topics are:

Health of the Tree Canopy in Niagara Inspiring Women in Business Basic Income Guarantee, Niagara’s new Local Food Cooperative Eco-holic, and, of course, Active discussions during the Resolutions Debates

Thank you for the opportunity to provide this submission to the NCWC newsletter. It’s important to be reminded that we are part of the larger whole. Jane Hanlon, President, St. Catharines & District Local Council, and Executive Director, Greening Niagara (formerly Climate Action Niagara), info@greeningniagara.ca; www.greeningniagara.ca

——————————————————————————————— WINNIPEG

THIS ELECTION MATTERS TO WOMEN

Motivated by the notable lack of conversation or debate on key issues affecting Canadian women in the federal election dialogue, and our deep disappointment regarding the cancellation of the federal leadership debate on women’s issues spurred an urgent call to action. We had to make sure that women’s voices were heard and women’s viewpoints were expressed as we move toward choosing our Ottawa representative for the next four years. Just like the great and famous prairie women leaders of 100 years ago, like CWW’s own Nellie McClung, we took matters into our own hands and organized our own forum.

The Council of Women of Winnipeg (CWW) and the Provincial Council of Women of Manitoba (PCWM) organized co-hosted a federal election forum on Thursday, October 8th, 2015 University of Winnipeg. The forum was moderated by Dr. Joan Grace, Associate Professor in the Department of Politics, University of Winnipeg (and a CWW member). The election forum, titled This Election Matters to Women, and our

Women’s Voting Forum at University of Winnipeg—Discussion on issues important to women heading into the Federal election.

CTV Winnipeg Morning news with Council of Women of Winnipeg President Kelly-Ann Stevenson

cont’d on page 8...

NEWS—LOCAL COUNCILS

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WINNIPEG

THIS ELECTION MATTERS TO WOMEN community leaders, activists, and experts lead a discussion on four key women’s issues.

Ms Dianna Redsky, Executive Director, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre: Murdered & Missing Women & Girls

Ms Ariana Yaftali, Community Activist: Immigration & Refugee Policy

Ms Jen Zoratti, Winnipeg Free Press Columnist & Founder of SCREAMING IN ALL CAPS: Women in Leadership

Ms Allison Fenske – Social Justice Lawyer Public Interest Law Centre - Gender Wage Gap

The Macleans article can be found at: http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/why-stephen-harper-doesnt-want-to-talk-about-womens-issues/ and the CBC article at: http://www.cbc.ca/1.3263976

Going forward with the newly elected government we must ensure that there is:

a national strategy to end the violence against women and girls, that action is taken to end women’s economic inequality, that there is serious and financial support to those organizations that support women’s leadership, and the new federal government act immediately to the immigration and refugee crisis – many refugees

and newly immigrated women are more likely to live in poverty and be victims of violence.

Kelly-Ann Stevenson, President, Council of Women of Winnipeg; 1st Vice-President, NCWC

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ONTARIO

JOIN THE CONVERSATION ON GENDER WAGE GAP STARTING OCTOBER 8, 2015

The Gender Wage Gap Strategy Steering Committee announced the launch of its on-line consultations and public hall meetings. There are two consultation papers - one for organizations and businesses, and one for individuals, as well as a background paper that sets the context. Written responses will be accepted until January 15, 2016.

Public town hall meetings will take place across Ontario from October 26, 2015 through February 2016 to answer questions, identify barriers - and propose solutions - to closing the gap. Registration is not required in order to attend. However, discussion materials will be emailed in advance to those who register.

If you need accommodation, based on a Human Rights Code ground, to take part in a town hall meeting, please send an e-mail to genderwagegap@ontario.ca or call 1-888-868-5844. Please state the accommodation required and the town hall location that you plan to attend.

...cont’d from page 7

Front Row L-R: Diane Redsky, Kevin Nichols, Jen Zoratti, Kim Parker, Alberta Johnson, Kelly-Ann Stevenson, Allison Fenske, Ariana Yaftali, Andrea Richardson-Lipon, Deborah Chief, Suzanne Hrynyk,

Second row L-R: Glenn Zaretzki, Darrell Rankin, August Hastmann, Maryann Mihychuk, Don Woodstock.

Absent John Redekopp, Joanne Levy.

NEWS—PROVINCIAL COUNCILS

NEWS—PROVINCIAL COUNCILS

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ONTARIO

GENDER EQUITY- CLOSE THE WAGE GAP

For decades, groups as diverse as the Equal Pay Coalition, Catalyst, think-tanks and banks have studied it, and decried it, without much effect. In the late 1980’s Ontario even passed pay-equity legislation that was supposed to close the gap, it didn’t.

On Premier Kathleen Wynne’s instructions, Labour Minister Kevin Flynn and Women’s Issues Tracy MacCharles are working together to “develop a wage gap strategy that will close the gap between men and women.” They have struck a Gender Wage Gap Steering Committee. This committee includes some high-powered, highly-qualified people including Emanuela Heyninck, Ontario’s pay equity commissioner; Nancy Austin, former executive director of the Ontario Human Rights Commission; Dr. Parbudyal Singh, a professor of human resource management at York University; and Linda Davis, Past President of the Business and Professional Women’s Clubs of Ontario, (PCWO Vice President of Economics) and a current board member of the Equal Pay Coalition.

The challenge is undeniably daunting. Women earned 31.5% less than men in Ontario in 2011. That was worse than the gap of 28% the year before. It’s not much better than when the Pay Equity Act was passed in 1987 when the gap was 38%. The Hamilton District Council of Women (HDCW) with the Status of Women Sub-Committee for the City of Hamilton joined forces and made recommendations to the Pay Equity Act Committee at a meeting in Hamilton during its tour around Ontario.

The gap can’t be blamed on a lack of women’s participation in the work force, as nearly half of it is female. Nor can it be attributed to a lack of education, or a lack of women in high-skill jobs. Regardless of how educated or skilled women are, or what they do, “women still face significant barriers and disadvantages in employment compared to men,” the Ontario government notes. (The above was excerpted from the Toronto Star, October 9, 2015)

PCWO is reminded of a landmark case where an employer, namely, Canada Post, failed to comply with pay equity legislation. Consequently, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) filed a complaint of wage discrimination on behalf of their employees in 1983. Thirty years later, June, 2013, Canada Post and PSAC ended their pay equity fight, in spite of the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal who ruled in favour of the workers in 2005. But subsequent appeals, won by Canada Post at the Federal Court of Appeal, led to the Supreme Court showdown. Though the Supreme Court ruling was delivered on November 17, 2011, the Crown Corporation did not start mailing cheques until late 2013. The delay was the result of Canada’s Post’s insistence that interest should only be paid on 80% of back pay, not 100% as PSAC wanted. Canada Post reasoned that interest should be applied to net pay and not gross earnings. It argued that after taxes and deductions, the workers would have only received “approximately 70 to 75 % of their total wages during the period in question”. It was finally agreed that interest would be paid on 90% of back pay. However, past workers have been filing complaints that they are yet to be paid. No wonder many workers, and the families of deceased workers, are filing complaints. However, Canada Post has stated that “any eligible workers whom Canada Post might have overlooked have five years to make a claim after the last cheque in the current assessment is issued”. Contact the Pay Equity Team at Canada Post, 2701 Riverside Dr. Suite B-432. Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0B1 (the above has been excerpted from Huge Adami, Ottawa Citizen, June 3, 2014, and Canada Post Pay Equity, January 21, 2014).

Thelma McGillivray, VP Status of Women, PCWO

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SASKATCHEWAN

Activities of the last six months included a submission to the Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy, listing five solutions that would help eliminate poverty. These included eliminating the disparity between gender wages, increasing skills and educational opportunities, the establishment of a seniors' ombudsman or better yet a patients' advocate trained as a health ethicist as well as increasing staffing levels in seniors' care homes, assisting women's struggles for parity in equality of work, public office, board room representation and wages. After some action, we congratulated the government for addressing the poverty problems and increasing the funding for extra senior beds.

Provincial, along with the Rusty McDonald Branch Library, co-hosted the Saskatoon Council's second forum on mental health, entitled Mental Health and Me. This was co-ordinated and MC'd by Ruth Robinson. Marilyn Boechler, a Board member of NCWCDO, plans a voluntary monetary collection at our meetings, as well as at the Saskatoon Persons' Day Luncheon. Saskatoon Council will incorporate the installation of our inductees into the Saskatoon Women's Hall of Fame at the Persons' Day meal. At present there are 35 women who have been inducted. The Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 1996 at the NCWC's AGM hosted by Saskatoon, which also celebrated the Saskatoon Council's 80

th Anniversary.

cont’d on page 10...

NEWS—PROVINCIAL COUNCILS

NEWS—STUDY GROUPS

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SASKATCHEWAN

Provincial is continuing to lobby for a safe home for victims of partner abuse in Estevan. We have a letter going to both the Mayor of Estevan and the Executive Director of the Women's Off ice in the Department of Social Services, decrying a lack of shelter resulting in victims being taken to hotels in Regina, 204 kms away.

Provincial Council is honoured to have representation on the Senates of both the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina.

Plans are underway to solicit partners for hosting candidate forums for the April Saskatchewan Provincial election and the October Civic elections.

Lori Isinger, President, Provincial Council of Women of Saskatchewan

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OAKVILLE & AREA STUDY GROUP

Greetings to all from the Oakville & Area Study Group (2011)

These days the really big news in Oakville is the long awaited grand opening (10 years since first planning date) of

Oakville and Area’s $2.7 billion full-service community hospital at Dundas & 3rd Line! Opening day is December

13, 2015. Total indoor size covers 1.6 million sq. feet with 320 beds scheduled to grow to the 600 bed range;

39,000 items of medical equipment, 3500 staff, physicians and volunteers and currently, a series of planned Open

House sneak peek opportunities for members of the public to visit the facility prior to the official opening day now

under way. After four years actual construction, the new hospital is on-time and on-budget. One highly innovative

feature is the photo voltaic state of the art roof top solar array that will generate power and help fund the Hospital

Foundation through the Ontario Power Authority’s Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) program.

Oakville Town Council recently inaugurated a Traffic Calming & Speed survey questionnaire, designed to assist

the town in current methods of traffic calming and current speed limits on all town roads. This action is in response

to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation asking neighbouring municipalities what they think about lowering current

speed limits in an effort to promote a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.

O&ASG, as you may already know, our group has grown by an additional three most welcome participants. We

are a mixed group of retired; semi-retired members. We are chiefly made up of very active members of the work

force per se. Just to say that we do manage to keep ourselves busy promoting Council of Women activities; latest

news from NCWC and PCWO - always warmly welcomed. Our very knowledgeable resolutions advisor Luba

Podolsky has been a steady volunteer at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital - Oakville's original small

community hospital whose doors will close simultaneously as the new doors open at the new hospital on

December 13th; Darla Campbell currently very busy with the upcoming election and coordinator of NCWC’s CNE

display in addition to her own independent business; Thelma McGillivray - very busy as ever with Advance

Women Halton; CFUW et al, has accepted VP Women’s Issues for PCWO; Margaret Blair - a published writer has

carried over her love of writing to a favourite activity of Council of Women also - Resolutions; Elisa O’Hare very

busy in the education field; Natalie Jamison - distinguished broker “Women & Wealth” at one of Canada’s large

banks; Carolyn Kennedy- is just getting to know O&ASG; June Cassie - former Oakviller now in TO.

We all look forward to the coming year of activity here locally on behalf of the National and Provincial levels of

Council of Women. Next up is the annual presentation of the Brief to the Government of Ontario, Tuesday,

November 17 at Queens Park, Toronto beginning 8:30 a.m., Rm. 228. The Provincial Council of Women of

Ontario delegation is led by PCWO President, Mary Potter. Pre-registration is required.

Sending thanks for NCWC/PCWO support and very best wishes to all for the coming year!

Carol Webb Canzona, Convenor, Oakville & Area Study Group (2011)

...cont’d from page 9

NEWS—NCWC CONVENERS OF STANDING STUDY COMMITTEES

ECONOMICS AND EMPLOYMENT

Citizens' Expectations of Canada's Role in International Negotiations

Canada is supporting the TPP Trans-Pacific Partnership, a quasi trade agreement without as many

constraints as what are generally understood by the term "trade-agreement". Canada has agreed to

surrender some sovereignty over agriculture specifically the dairy industry which is managed in a

market demand economy. Canada also agreed to lower the requirement for the percentage of

automotive components manufactured domestically, such that our citizens working in the

automotive industry stand to feel the negative consequences of losing good paying automotive

manufacturing jobs, not to mention the jobs surrounding this industry. Few details are yet available on

the actual document. It does require all 12 countries involved to ratify it, before it comes into effect.

CETA, the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union,

has met the initial approval by the current federal government but also requires ratification, by the

provinces and territories and all of the EU countries before going into effect. If governments have

embraced this trade agreement, many citizens are challenging their respective elected representatives.

National Council of Women of Canada has developed policy that seeks to inform our membership and

our elected representatives on many issues, and international trade is an important one to review as

the governments consider and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each contract. The

following reflect NCWC values and priorities over decades already:

"Building an Economy that Serves the People" NCWC 99.5;

"On International Trade" NCWC 2005.03 UP "International Trade Agreement Negotiations"

NCWC 2010.04 PU;

"Economic Gender Equity Indicators and Gender-Based Analysis" NCWC 1998.01 EM;

"Building Greater Democracy, Accountability and Coherence into Global Governance Institutions"

NCWC 2002.10.

As we approach the Paris Conference on Climate Change in December 2015, it is hoped that citizens

and organizations will inform themselves to educate their elected representatives on NCWC policy on this

issue as well. Readers are invited to review NCWC policy on the matter:

"To Require National Energy Board to Investigate Effects of Changes in Energy Demand,"

NCWC 1998.03 EM;

"Taking Action on Global Climate Change," NCWC 99.2 PU;

"Disaster Assistance to Prairie Farmers to Mitigate against Cumulative Effects of Unprecedented

Rainfalls," NCWC 2000.05 EM;

"Cessation of Irresponsible Production of Tar Sands Oil in Canada," NCWC 2009.03 EI.

Let us inform our newly elected representatives to the issues citizens are concerned about as we embark

on negotiating and ratifying the impending treaties. Economic security strategies and environmental

security strategies are not mutually exclusive of each other!

Gisèle Saurette-Roch, Convener for Economics and Employment, NCWC

11

NEWS—CSW59—U.N. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

CALL FOR DELEGATES

The sixtieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, will be held from March 14 - 24, 2016 at

United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Priority theme of the session will be Women's empowerment and its link to sustainable development.

The Review theme is: the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls

(agreed conclusions from the fifty-seventh session). You can see more here: http://www.unwomen.org/

en/csw/csw60-2016

If you are interested in being part of the NCWC delegation, please send your name by December 15th to

Mary Scott, mary_scott@shaw.ca

Delegates must arrange for their own transportation and accommodation at their own expense. It should

be noted that the UN allows NCWC a limited number of participants so we may not be able to

accommodate everyone. You can read about the activities of the NCWC delegation at last year’s meeting

of the CSW here: http://csw2015.blogspot.ca/ .

Mary Scott, Lead Delegate, NCWC

———————————————————————————————

ICW’S STATEMENT TO MARK THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE,

21ST SEPTEMBER 2015

This year, 2015, the international community is marking the 15th anniversary of the adoption of UN

Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 1325) on "Women, Peace and Security".

In October 2000, for the first time, the UN Security Council dealt with gender issues and women's

experiences as agents in building peace, preventing conflicts and guaranteeing security. What has been

achieved in the last 15 years on that specific domain? Whilst indeed some progress should be noted,

unfortunately, in different parts of the globe women and children continue to be the major victims of

conflict, and struggle day by day in trying to survive and to overcome the hardships which are still their

present lot…

More than ever, women need to be critical actors in peace building. Their participation in the political

process and their contribution to the substance of peace negotiations is now widely recognized as a tool

for attaining sustainable results. However, 15 years after the UNSC Resolution 1325, women notably

continue to be excluded from participation in peace processes and their pivotal role in conflict resolution

and in the planning of the future society is still marginal - and that despite the intense efforts of women's

organizations and movements throughout the world.

How then can women change this situation?

There needs surely to be kept in mind that one of the most important contributions that women can make

in peace negotiations is precisely to "think outside the box", and to get out of the accepted paradigm that

brought about conflicts in the first place. Most especially, they need to let their voice be heard on the

matter!

Read the rest of this statement on NCWC’s website: http://www.ncwcanada.com/about-us/international-

perspective/international-council-of-women-icw/ Bottom of page, click on the “+” sign to view statement.

12

NEWS—INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN (ICW)

NEWS—INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

ICW APPLAUDS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL CHILD OCTOBER 11, 2015

Theme: The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030

In endorsing this powerful theme marking the International Day of the Girl Child Day, the International Council of Women applauds the advances that have been made to improve the status of the Girl Child and to recognise her rights, such as her worth as a human being: to be treated with dignity and respect free from harmful practices which girls may be subjected to: to have the right to such necessities as food, shelter, holistic health care and, very importantly, to an education.

With 2015 marking, the 20th Anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action which supports the

Convention on the Rights of the Child first ratified 25 years ago, the International Council urges all Governments to ensure they honour both the the Platform for Action and the important Convention by seeing they have good active policies in place that do not discriminate against girls

2015 also sees the completion of the Millennium Goals (MDGs) which has done much to improve the status and general well-being of girls though not all targets were met. With the advent of the Sustainable Development Goals, girls born during the 15 years of the MDGs reach adolescence. Thus investment in the power of adolescent girls, who are our future, is all important for breaking the cycle of poverty, violence, and discrimination in general thus leading to their full empowerment.

The International Council of Women in advocating for the rights of the Girl Child supports the work of its affiliated Councils many of which are focusing on ending early forced marriage, defined as a form of slavery.

Read the rest of this statement on NCWC’s website: http://www.ncwcanada.com/about-us/international-perspective/international-council-of-women-icw/

——————————————————————————————

ICW GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2015

The 34th General Assembly of the International Council of Women took place in Izmir, Turkey from May 30 to June 5, 2015.

It was my pleasure to represent NCWC at this triennial. Delegates from around the world were in attendance and the wide scope of ICW was evident. We learned that some delegates were unable to attend, having experienced a delay in obtaining the necessary travel documents. Fortunately, my flight from Vancouver, through Frankfurt and Istanbul, brought me to Izmir right on schedule. As the hour was late, information booths were closed. After extensive wandering on my part, friendly civilian and security assistants located my luggage, helped acquire a taxi and gave my destination directions to the driver in Turkish. The conference Hotel Kaya was a welcome sight.

Izmir is a beautiful city, situated on Turkey's Aegean coast. Thanks to the National Council of Women of Turkey, several opportunities to explore the city, visit the historic sites, and taste the culture were included in the assembly agenda. These activities provided an entertaining and informative balance

13 cont’d on page 14...

NEWS—INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN

ICW GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2015

to the serious business sessions which were the responsibility of the ICW Board. Comfortable buses transported us to various locations throughout the week. We walked along the city waterfront, which was festooned with flags for the upcoming elec-tion, and stopped at a sidewalk cafe for something cool in the heat of the day.

We toured a rug museum to see the exquisite hand work. Under breathtakingly beautiful skies, we enjoyed an evening with the feast and entertainment we were told is typical of a party the night before a wedding. An evening at the horse races culminated with the presentation of an International Council of Women Cup. There were visits to schools supported by NCW Turkey. Our experiences were varied and memorable.

The hotel complex for the assembly, which also was the locale for the business sessions, was a thermal spa with all the amenities. Most delegates found that the early morning breakfast location was perfect for meeting, greeting, and friendly personal conversations. We shared information about the national Councils, finding similarities and differences beyond those generally contained in official reports, strengthening the bonds within our organization.

During the unstructured discussions, one concern became most evident: how to address the plight of migrants and refugees. In the Mediterranean, boatloads of people were seeking asylum and there was tragic loss of life in capsized vessels. How were countries going to handle the arrival of the desperate newcomers? What could be done to help? A crisis was emerging.

As has become the custom, assembly registrants had been encouraged to bring items from their own countries to assist the ICW. Thus, there was a very colourful sale table. Also, the beautiful hand work of the Turkish women was displayed for purchase. Some registrants brought items as favours. I was the recipient of kind gifts from several delegations or delegates: the generous welcome bag from the Turkish organizing committee, books, pamphlets from several countries, pictures and compact discs; all resulted in a full suitcase. NCW Korea had prepared a beautiful set of report and photo books from ICW GA 2012; as well, the Korean delegates presented me with an individual package of personal pictures not in the official booklet. Gifts in kind from Turkish members included their time and translation skills throughout. Friendliness and generosity abounded.

Prior to the first business session, an entire day was devoted to a workshop on health issues affecting women, particularly issues of aging. There were excellent presentations by several medical doctors and other health professionals.

The formal business sessions were chaired by ICW President Cosima Schenk who was completing her final term in the presidential office, having served in that capacity for six years. National Councils were given time to add briefly to official reports; comprehensive reports were given by Conveners and Board members. The necessity of immediate and sustained response to concerns was reinforced in the update by Vice President Elisabeth Newman reporting on the earthquake in Nepal with pictures of her damaged hotel and devastation in the countryside. Generally, reports were given in English. Where this was not the case, translation was

provided. It is to be noted that many members are multilingual.

During the week, a meeting of the Regional Council of the Americas brought together Guatemala, Canada and Bolivia. Although the language of the meeting was Spanish, ample English translation was provided. Efforts and programs to address poverty and violence towards women were primary subjects.

Among the agenda items in the general session was the presentation of a finance report and budget. Approved was the proposed budget which included reduction of the annual dues. The proposed resolutions which had been sent to the members prior to the assembly were discussed; although some provoked controversy, all passed -- some, such as Equal Pay, unanimously.

The election of officers resulted in an outstanding Board with Dr. Jung-sook Kim of Korea elected the new President of ICW for the 2015–2018 term.

Immediately following the General Assembly, the International Council of Women website was updated to include reports and current policy which are not included in this report. For these and other information, please visit http://www.icw-cif.com/.

Rosemary Mallory, Honorary Life Member, NCWC 14

...cont’d from page 13

Cosima Schenk

CONGRATULATIONS: CHERYL BRAGANZA—ART ACTIVISM AWARD WINNER

NCWC congratulates Cheryl Braganza, former NCWC Convener for the Standing Study Committee on Culture & Heritage. She is a Montreal artist, cancer survivor and human-rights activist. In June 2015, Cheryl was one of three North American women to receive an Art Activism Award from the Living Kindness Foundation in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

View the links below on an article that appeared in “The Gazette,” and the second is the

3rd Annual Women’s Voices Women’s Visions Symposium that took place in Saratoga and at which Cheryl participated. She led a workshop and, along with the other two award winners, gave an EVE talk (Expressing Values that are Evolutionary).

The Gazette:

http://montrealgazette.com/news/world/opinion-a-paintbrush-is-my-weapon-in-the-fight-for-human-rights

Women’s Voices Women’s Visions Symposium: https://www.facebook.com/womensvoiceswomensvisions/

OR http://her.yourstory.com/cheryl-braganza-0729

——————————————————————————————

IN MEMORIAM: PAMELA (NÉE TROUSDALE) RENÉ—1941-2015

It is with great sorrow that we report that Pam René died on June 14th, 2015 after a valiant struggle with cancer. During the last two years after her diagnosis, she was always very positive when contacted by phone or email and very appreciative of the support and prayers of her family and a multitude of friends. Many members of PCWQ & MCW joined the crowd who attended the beautiful and celebratory service of thanksgiving for her life which was held in her own parish church in St-Lambert, on the south shore outside Montreal. She was very involved in the parish, running Lenten lunches and other events, and I used to meet her at diocesan events in Montreal too. She would have been very happy to know that this summer Montreal Anglicans elected our first woman bishop!

Pam was an active member of both PCWQ & MCW for many years. I remember sharing a room with her at an NCWC AGM in Ottawa in the 90s

and she was always very interested in what was going on in NCWC as well as locally & provincially. In 2005, she was part of the local planning committee for the NCWC AGM held in Montreal that year – her most noteworthy contribution was the slim book which she produced for the event. It is entitled “Quebec Eating and Drinking – Specialties of the Province.” She said it was not a recipe book but a story book though there are many family recipes to try as well as some notes on Québec wine and cheese. (MCW may have 2 or 3 copies left!) Pam was a member of the PCWQ Board from 2008 until her illness forced her to retire in 2013. She participated in our e-meetings, mostly held in the winter, but was always very pleased when we were able to meet face-à-face in Montreal.

Pam was born and brought up in north-eastern England, around Newcastle, and to the end of her days she spoke with the lovely ‘Geordie’ accent characteristic of that part of Britain. I’m not sure if it came through in French too! She came to Montreal for Expo 67, which is when she met André René, the young lawyer whom she subsequently married and made her home here. When we met André at her funeral, he was very appreciative that so many of her CW friends were present to celebrate her life. She will be sorely missed.

Elizabeth Hutchinson, President, CPFQ-PCWQ 15

HONOURING NCWC WOMEN

Pam René

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow the confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cheryl Braganza

IN MEMORIAM: J. A. MARY MACLAREN—1921-2015

Mary MacLaren, NCWC Life Member, was born when females were not considered persons!

She was an exceptional student who earned her degree in English at the head of her graduating class. However the Dean’s Award went to the man with the next highest marks because “he will need it, you won’t!”

During the war years she and her family worked to support the war effort and then to support each other, when her brother Bill was shot down over France in 1944.

After the war she married Alexander MacLaren, who was studying for a degree in geology at McGill. She edited and typed his papers and even his thesis, which had to be delivered in English, French and German. Before long they had a family of four children and Mary became actively involved with St. Timothy’s Presbyteri-an Church in Ottawa, and her alma mater and the organizations she believed in, NCWC and CFUW. She was widowed at an early age and left to bring up her two daughters and two sons alone.

Mary was a loyal member of Ottawa Council of Women for over 30 years. She was made a Life Member in 1993. Mary was Treasurer for OCW in the early 1980's, as well as Archivist for many years. “Mary was always interested in the stories of individuals involved in the past work of Council and knew a lot about our history of Council. She was committed to the importance of archives as the record of our past, and worked hard to make them as complete as possible. (Her co-chair, Ruth Bell was also committed and knowledgeable, so OCW was indeed fortunate.

Ruth Brown, Past National president wrote about Mary’s involvement in NCWC: “For the National Council of Women, she was the Archivist for about ten years, starting in 1994, responsible for putting together the relevant Council documents for deposit in the National Archives. I worked closely with her on two other NCWC projects, i.e. the publication of “The Splendid Vision” and as co-editors of the NCWC Year Book for six years, and much enjoyed our association.

In her 70s, fifty years after her first degree, Mary began working on a degree in the National Archivist Program at Ottawa University, graduating in their first class. From then on, Mary worked tirelessly for the NCWC developing and maintaining the archives so that our records could be accepted into Library and Archives Canada.

For a number of years she proudly represented NCWC each Remembrance Day, proudly laying a wreath at the national War Memorial on our behalf. She will be remembered in the Ottawa Council for her support of all its activities, particularly as the resolutions time-keeper, Treasurer and as an editor and proof-reader whenever one was needed.

Lately, Mary lived with her daughter’s family and although in failing health, was able to win at Scrabble a couple of weeks before her death. Rest in Peace.

Denise Mattok, Past President, NCWC

———————————————————————————————

IN MEMORIAM: KATHERINE JANET (NÉE MARLAY) TAIT—1954-2015

Long time member of NCWC, we remember Katherine Tait, NCWC Executive Assistant from 1992 to 1995. We were sorry to learn that she passed away this summer from a severe stroke at the age of 61. With her keen intelligence and excellent writing, editing and administrative skills, Katherine made a real contribution to the work of NCWC, as well as representing our organization ably in the network of women's organizations which was active at that time.

Ruth Brown, Past President, NCWC

16

HONOURING NCWC WOMEN

Katherine Tait

Mary MacLaren

HONOURING WOMEN IN THE MILITARY

FROM A US WOMAN VETERAN: A SALUTE TO MY CANADIAN WOMEN VETERAN SISTERS DURING OCTOBER “WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH” IN CANADA

Article by Dna. Maria St. Catherine McConnell (USAF Officer Emerita)

Since 1992, Canada has celebrated October as “Women's History Month” - a national occasion to remember the incredible achievements of Canadian women. As stated in the March 2014 Backgrounder of the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces website titled, “Women in the Canadian Armed Forces,“

The history of Canadian service women is an important part of our

national military heritage and their achievements contribute to the full and equal inclusion of women in our society and national institutions.

During this year’s commemoration of Canada’s women’s history by the National Council of Women of Canada, as a US military women veteran cognizant of the symmetry of historic firsts that comprise the lives of American and Canadian women in general and US and Canadian military women veterans specifically--especially with regard to the establishment of our nations’ national women’s military army units during World War II--I would like to take this special opportunity to honor and salute all my sister women military veterans in Canada during your celebration of women’s history month. Military initiatives in both the US and Canada to establish our respective women’s army corps were commenced in 1941, and as I will discuss later in this article, US and Canadian women army leaders of the World War II era were not strangers to one another. While it is still little known, the women army leaders of the US and Canada possess a shared heritage of women’s military history that has come to light during my scholarly research in the field of comparative US-Canadian women military/veterans studies. The goal of this article is to briefly impart some of the highlights of the women’s military history and heritage that is shared by American and Canadian women army veterans during Canada’s 2015 celebration of women’s history month.

Being geographic neighbors and WW II allied partners it is timely and highly appropriate that American women veterans join with their Canadian women veteran sisters in contemplating and recalling the many contributions made by Canadian women to Canada’s military history during Canada’s October 2015 national commemoration of “women’s history”. Similarly, as US women’s army history forms a microcosm of US national military history so to in Canada, the military combat-support accomplishments of Canada’s women citizens from the early days of the North-West Rebellion of 1885 to the 21st century Middle East conflicts of today contribute significantly to the social tapestry of the larger story of women's history and progress in Canada.

Therefore, I, Dna. Maria St. Catherine McConnell, a US Air Force Officer woman veteran), would like to take this opportunity to salute my Canadian women veteran sisters and to highlight some of Canada’s

17

CELEBRATING WOMEN

cont’d on page 18...

From the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC) Wartime Recruiting Manual, page 18

(See: http://www.navalandmilitarymuseum.org/sites/default/files/pdf/CWAC%20Complete%20Booklet%20-%20WEB.pdf)

HONOURING WOMEN IN THE MILITARY

outstanding women veteran leaders from Canada’s WW II army history, such as Col. Elizabeth Smellie, Col. Marjorie Eaton, Lt. Joan B. Kennedy and Lt. Col. Mary Dover while sharing with my Canadian sisters some highlights from America’s women’s army corps development WW II history that parallels Canada’s own WW II legacy of pioneering women military leaders.

About the author: Dna. Maria St. Catherine McConnell is a former U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer/Analyst and Instructor and an Oxford University Foreign Service Programme Alumna (2002) who specializes in veterans studies with a special focus on national and international women veterans affairs issues and studies. She is a veterans affairs advocacy professional with an international background in international law and diplomacy who has an interest in international women veterans affairs. Canadian women veterans interested in promoting a US-Canada Women Veterans Friendship Alliance may contact Dna. McConnell at: uscanadawomenvetsalliance@email.com

Karen Monnon Dempsey, President, NCWC

———————————————————————————————

A NATIONAL HOUSING POLICY

We have heard quite a bit about the issue of housing in the rhetoric around this election, but mostly from advocates for housing. Many municipalities across Canada in the past year have been working to address urgent housing needs, but they need help from other levels of government, most notably federal. NCWC strongly urges that a National Housing Policy be part of every party’s policy, and that all parties work together and with all levels of government in a bipartisan effort to establish accessible, adequate, and affordable housing for the homeless and those precariously housed.

The National Council of Women of Canada established policy in 1944 with regard to housing for Canadians, and that policy was expanded in 1947, 1948, 1949, 1972, 1982, 1988, 1992, 1999, 2002, and 2010.

In 1982, NCWC called attention to a Housing Crisis. There was a growing number of households in Canada whose incomes were insufficient to acquire suitable and adequate housing in the private sector and production had declined dramatically.

In 1988 the National Council of Women of Canada urged the Government of Canada to declare a “National State of Emergency” as it related to housing those persons most in need. Vacancy rates were unacceptably low with many Canadians spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing and a high percentage were on waiting lists for “rent geared to income” RGI housing. Those most in need were low-income seniors, female-led single parent families, single persons, unemployed youth, women who had experienced violence, and those who were disabled.

In 1992, we urged the Government of Canada to implement and maintain a National Housing Policy

18

CELEBRATING WOMEN ...cont’d from page 17

In September 1939, Canada and Great Britain together declared war on Germany.US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt & UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet in early of 1941 aboard the U.S.S. Augusta in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, to discuss their respective war aims for the Second World War and to outline a postwar international system. The “Charter” consisted of eight “common principles” that would be support by the United States and Great Britain in the postwar world. Shortly after in December of 1941 the United States entered the war. Churchill addressed the Canadian House of Commons on December 30, 1941.

cont’d on page 19...

ISSUES THAT CONCERN NCWC

...cont’d from page 18 A NATIONAL HOUSING POLICY

that would ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing across Canada, taking into consideration children whose parents are forced to spend more than half their income on housing, disabled persons who have special needs in housing, single, low-income persons who seek privacy and independence in shelter, and rental accommodation for those individuals who could never obtain home ownership.

In 1999, homelessness was approaching disaster proportions. The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights committed each signatory country to work toward an “adequate standard of living” for all its citizens. Women and children tended to suffer disproportionately from homelessness and its poverty-related concerns that affected not only their health but their ability to seek, find and hold jobs.

In 2002, NCWC urged the Government of Canada to declare a “National State of Emergency” as it related to housing those persons most in need. We urged that sufficient, safe, affordable social housing be provided to meet the needs of Canadians.

In 2003, the UN CEDAW (Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination) Report urged Canada to provide safe housing for vulnerable women. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples referred to the rights of Indigenous peoples with respect to autonomy and self-government and to the improvement of their economic and social conditions, including housing, for which states are required to take effective measures to ensure improvement in these conditions.

In 2010 the Assembly of First Nations declared that First Nations’ housing and infrastructure was in crisis and developed a six-point plan to renew its housing involving: Sustainable funding. Institutional development. Information and research capacity, Financing. Land management, Human resources.

In 2010, therefore, NCWC urged the Government of Canada to work with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples to develop and implement plans for funding housing and infrastructure construction without delay, and to provide sufficient funding and support to ensure that the housing:

Is supported by the necessary infrastructure Is of sufficiently high quality to ensure healthy living Is sufficiently plentiful to eliminate overcrowding Takes into account the special needs of vulnerable women and their families on reserves, and Meets the standards of the National Building Code.

A review of NCWC policies reveals Council’s long-term support for real accountability of governments to citizens. NCWC has been tenacious in advocating for women, children, and communities since 1893, and has been given “National Historic Significance” status by the Government of Canada. In The Splendid Vision, published on our 100th Anniversary, the back cover states that: “In the century since its establishment as a leading proponent for the voice of women in community and public life, the National Council of Women has debated the issues, and often influenced the policies, which have shaped Canadian history. N.E.S. Griffiths has traced the history of an institution unique for its adherence to founding principles: ideological openness, political involvement, and the social betterment of women and families in their community and working lives. The Council’s internationally-rooted, philanthropic origins, its development as a public advocate in causes as diverse as women’s suffrage, conscription, relief administration during the great depression, formation of the Federal Department of Health, and its contemporary status as an ‘enlightened lobbyist’ in cases touching the rights of women farmers, union workers, native women, and rape victims, are faithfully detailed.”

NCWC’s long history of housing policies certainly illustrates our steadfastness and sense of purpose with regard to this issue. Looking at our carefully crafted policies on housing only reinforces the fact that not much has changed over the past several decades; affordable housing still remains out of reach for many Canadians and many more are homeless. We unequivocally state that this situation is not acceptable, and it is past time for a National Housing Policy that addresses the issue with the purpose and resolve of all levels of government working together.

Karen Monnon Dempsey, President, NCWC

19

ISSUES THAT CONCERN NCWC

DATES TO REMEMBER

20

NATIONAL COUNCIL

OF WOMEN OF CANADA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-16

PRESIDENT: Karen Monnon Dempsey

PAST PRESIDENT: Denise Mattok

VICE PRESIDENTS:

Kelly-Ann Stevenson, 1st VP

Sandra Cohen-Rose

Barbara Hall

Patricia Leson

Jeannette Logan

Sheila Pepper

TREASURER:

Stephanie Courneyea, CGA

DISCLAIMER

The opinions expressed by the

contributors are their own and do not

necessarily reflect or represent the

views of the National Council of Women

of Canada, its members or federates.

National Council of Women

of Canada

P.O. Box 67099, Ottawa, ON

Canada K2A 4E4

Telephone: 1-613-232-5025 Email: pres@ncwcanada.com

VISIT THE NEW NCWC WESITE www.ncwcanada.com

EDITOR & WEBSITE MANAGER

Beverley Colquhoun

editornewsletter@ncwcanada.com

REMINDER—SUBMISSION DEADLINE

EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENTS, NEWS, ARTICLES & PHOTOS

The Editor: editornewsletter@ncwcanada.com

Submission date for the next issue of NCWC newsletter

February 15, 2016

FORMAT documents: WORD, Rich Text format, Arial 11 pt

NOVEMBER 25TH - INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION

OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, it begins the 16 Days of

Activism Against Gender Violence.

NOVEMBER 28, 2015 – HOLODOMOR MEMORIAL DAY The

Government of Canada unanimously passed Bill C-459, the Ukrainian

Famine and Genocide ("Holodomor") Memorial Day Act which came

into force by Royal Assent on May 29, 2008. The Act recognizes the

Holodomor as an act of genocide and proclaims the 4th Saturday of

each November Holodomor Memorial Day.

DECEMBER 6TH - NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND

ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN coincides with the

anniversary of the massacre of young women at École Polytechnique

de Montréal in 1989.

To all our Members and Friends,

We wish you and your families

our very best wishes for a safe

and joyous holiday season, and

a very happy, healthy and

prosperous New Year!

Thank you for your valued membership and continued support.

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