FEWO Committee Report

Equal Participation for Women in Politics: A Long Way to Go

The study undertaken by the Parliamentary Committee for the Status of Women on Barriers Facing Women in Politics illustrates the challenges faced by women who would and should participate at every level of government in Canada.

We wish to thank and acknowledge the work of former NDP MP Kennedy Stewart in advancing this very important issue for study and consideration in the 42^nd Parliament.

As we heard from witness Pamela Best, “women’s increased political participation as elected officials leads to better social, economic, and political outcomes for everyone.”[i]

The report touches on gender stereotypes and discrimination in regard to women’s political participation, yet it fails to demonstrate understanding of the fact that this discrimination is endemic in all levels of government.

A May 2018, Library of Parliament report presented findings that supported the 2016 report of the Auditor General of Canada that found Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) was neither completely nor consistently applied with quality in Government of Canada Departments. And while it wasn’t included as evidence in this study, the Library of Parliament report serves to underscore that if women are to become the political equals of men, government must use instruments like GBA effectively to ensure it understands and responds to the reality that policies can affect men and women in differing ways; it is more often than not women who experience the negative impacts of policy that is not subjected to a GBA lens.

Recommendation 4 of the Committee report does not respond to this failure to ensure a robust application of GBA on the part of the Government.

The NDP suggests that recommendation 4 should be worded as follows:

(4) That the Government of Canada make GBA mandatory in all departments and agencies; that the Government equip all department and agencies with tools and staffing levels required to order and conduct full GBA; and that the Government ensure all departments and agencies provide analysis in order to track GBA’s impacts on policy proposals.

The evidence in this report also pointed to problems inherent in the Parliament of Canada with regard to parental leave, pregnancy and work-life balance. In the report there was recognition that the maximum period for absence from the House of Commons and the need for greater flexibility as set out in Bill C-74 has not been acted upon by the House of Commons.

It is important to include in this dissenting report, a recommendation that the House of Commons make regulations that relate to the attendance of Members or deductions from seasonal allowances in respect to its own members who are unable to attend a sitting by reason of (a) being pregnant; or (b) caring for a newborn or newly-adopted child.

The barriers to women entering the political life are many and significant.

It is, however, irresponsible to discuss these barriers without an examination of the social conditions that serve to exacerbate those barriers. First and foremost is the failure of this Liberal government to support the national and regional women’s organizations that promote women’s equality and encourage women’s political participation.

In 2006, the Conservative government of the day defunded national organizations such as the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) and the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW) and others, creating a huge vacuum with regard to the research and advocacy that assisted women in their communities to pursue equity and equality. Core funding previously provided by the Department on the Status of Women is vital to providing this kind of advocacy. The Department has restored short-term funding on a project by project basis that ties up the resources of women’s advocacy organizations. Lack of core funding essentially prevents women’s organizations from doing the networking and advocacy work that increases political participation.

The Committee on the Status of Women would have done well to advise the Government to restore core funding for national women’s organizations.

While this report includes a discussion about the ways in which sexual harassment and gender-based violence are systemic barriers to the participation of women in all aspects of community life, we feel it does not go far enough. The NDP would include recommendations allowing for an independent body to oversee the House of Commons harassment policies and investigate cases of alleged harassment. In addition, the NDP recommends the House of Commons provide non-partisan, independent, trauma-informed and survivor-centric support services to assist victims of violence and offer training on harassment to all Members of Parliament and political staff.

The study of Barriers Facing Women in Politics makes reference to lack of access to adequate child care, but does not include a recommendation that the Government implement its long-promised but yet to be fulfilled promise of a national child care program. Such a program is crucial to women considering the pursuit of political careers.

Support for childcare facilities in government workplaces, as well as family friendly infrastructure such as quiet rooms would also create an environment more conducive to women’s participation. While there is much left to do, we acknowledge the work and progress made in the 42^nd Parliament towards creating a more family friendly environment for Parliamentarians and staff.

Pay equity, affordable housing, a living wage and accessible affordable public transit are all factors contributing to the social condition of women in Canada. The absence of federal support in all of these areas serves as a detriment to women’s participation in politics.

Promises and strategies whose funding is only guaranteed after the next election are not helpful to Canadian women who are in need of support now.