FEWO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women met at 9:08 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Judy Sgro, presiding.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 10:44 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 10:45 a.m., the sitting resumed.

It was agreed, — That if the joint meetings with the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs or with the Standing Committee on Justice were not confirmed, the Clerk would seek to request a briefing session by officials from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada or the Native Women's Association of Canada.

It was agreed, — That consideration of proposed changes to routine motions (no. 3 and no. 9) be postponed until the next meeting.

It was agreed, — That consideration of study budgets be postponed until next meeting.

It was agreed, — That when hearing witnesses, and if necessary, the Committee reserve the last thirty (30) minutes for Committee Business.

On motion of Maria Minna, it was agreed, — That, whereas violence against women constitutes a violation of the rights and fundamental freedoms of women and impairs or nullifies their enjoyment of those rights and freedoms; whereas violence against women can take many forms, including psychological violence, physical violence, sexual violence, financial abuse, economic abuse and spiritual abuse; whereas half of Canadian women (51%) have been victims of at least one act of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16; whereas females make up the vast majority of victims of sexual assaults, criminal harassment, and kidnapping/hostage-taking or abduction; whereas 52% of all female homicide victims in 2001 were killed by someone with whom they had an intimate relationship at one point in time, and four of five victims of spousal homicide are female; whereas violence against women has severe psychological, physical and social consequences; whereas violence against women is a manifestation of the historically unequal power relations between men and women; whereas some groups of women, such as destitute women, women in institutions or in detention, female children, women with disabilities, and elderly women are especially vulnerable to violence; pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on the Status of Women undertake a study on violence against women, including the issues of sexual assault and human trafficking, and recommend measures to achieve the elimination of violence against women in Canada.

It was agreed, — That consideration of Maria Mourani's motion concerning pay equity be postponed until the next meeting.

On motion of Irene Mathyssen, it was agreed, — That, whereas senior women have the right to a fulfilling life with dignity, respect and security; and whereas, poverty levels are alarmingly high among single seniors and especially single senior women; pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on the Status of Women undertake the study of the economic security of senior women, including an exploration of income splitting and care giving, and call forward as witnesses representatives from the Department of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, officials from the Department of Finance, and the National Advisory Council on Aging.

At 11:02 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.