CAUT | ACPPU
Canadian Association of University Teachers
Issues & Campaigns
An Open Letter to the Prime Minister on International Women’s Day
March 8, 2011
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
Today is the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day.
One hundred years ago, women walked out of factories and into the streets to protest low wages and unsafe, inhumane working conditions. One hundred years later in Canada, women continue to earn an average hourly wage that is substantially lower than men’s and there is still no national childcare program. Canada also has tax policies that protect the wealth of the already wealthy and regressive immigration policies that disproportionately affect immigrant women caring for children and families.
We call on you, Prime Minister, to take immediate actions to:
- Ensure that the upcoming federal budget provides measures that will ensure women’s economic equality;
- Support legislation currently in parliament that will benefit the economic and social lives of women – Bills C-471 (An Act respecting the implementation of the recommendations of the Pay Equity Task Force), C-581 (An Act respecting Status of Women Canada), and C-389 (An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code); and
- End your government’s attack on women’s and other advocacy organizations and initiatives by restoring their funding and returning ‘advocacy’ to the Status of Women Canada mandate.
Top of page