Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Spotlight on International Women’s Day – The struggle continues, women still fighting for equality and human rights

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first international women’s conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, which lead to the creation of International Women’s Day. The day had been celebrated in many countries since the mid-1800s. But in 1910, women made the day a part of a worldwide movement and haven’t looked back since.

March 8 also represents the 40 year anniversary of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women – the first Canada-wide investigation into women’s equality, which made recommendations that women are still fighting for today. Canadian women have seen many victories over the last four decades, including constitutional rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, paid maternity leave and laws that ensure equal pay for work of equal value.

In addition, Canadian women played a significant role in ensuring that women’s rights and gender equality are included in international agreements such as the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.

But even though women have seen many improvements over the last 40 years, there is still much work to be done. Since the election of Stephen Harper’s Conservative government in 2006, women have seen their rights rolled back or denied.

Read more of the Union Update spotlight on IWD at the national website.

In the week before International Women’s Day, the Canadian Labour Congress is launching an email campaign to let the Members of Parliament who voted in favour of scrapping Canada’s long gun registry know that this is the wrong thing to do!

Why is scrapping the gun registry the wrong thing to do? Among other things, it’s about violence against women.

More women in Canada are killed by their intimate partners than are killed by strangers – 65% of women murder victims are murdered by their intimate partners. In contrast, men are more likely to be killed by strangers, with only 15% of male homicides committed by their intimate partners. Most women are killed in their own homes – an Ontario study of risk factors of domestic violence found that possession or access to a firearm was the fourth most serious risk factor after marriage breakup, depression and a history of domestic violence.

In 1991 Canada brought in stricter gun control regulations, and also introduced the gun registry legislation in 1995.

The new laws focused on strengthening controls on rifles and shotguns – not just registering long guns but also strict regulations on the storage of these weapons. Since 1991 the overall rate of homicides with firearms (including handguns) in Canada is down by 40%. But the rate of homicides with rifles and shotguns has plummeted – a decrease of 70% in the same period. The number of women murdered by guns has fallen from 85 in 1991 to 24 in 2004.

In BC, Dona Cadman is one of the urban Conservative MPs who voted in favour of abolishing the registry. Please take a moment to visit the CLC website and send her an email asking her to change her mind.

In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women’s rights and international peace. Following the United Nations’ lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women’s Day. Each year at this time, Canadians celebrate progress toward equality for women and their full participation, reflect on the challenges and barriers that remain, and consider future steps to achieving equality for all women, in all aspects of their lives.

Read more for a list of events and check back as more will be added.

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The 19th Annual Feb 14th Womens Memorial March takes place on Sunday, February 14 2010 and begins at 12pm at the Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Street (corner Hastings, Vancouver)

In January 1991 a woman was murdered on Powell Street in Vancouver. Her name is not spoken today out of respect for the wishes of her family. This woman’s murder in particular was the catalyst that moved women into action. Out of this sense of hopelessness and anger came an annual march on Valentine’s Day to express compassion, community, and caring for all women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Coast Salish Territories.

Nineteen years later, the march continues to honour the lives of missing and murdered women. Increasing deaths of many vulnerable women from the DTES still leaves family, friends, loved ones, and community members with an overwhelming sense of grief and loss. Over 3000 women are known to have gone missing or been murdered in Canada since the 1970s. Last year, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women issued this statement: “Hundreds of cases involving aboriginal women who have gone missing or been murdered in the past two decades have neither been fully investigated nor attracted priority attention.”

The February 14th Women’s Memorial March in Vancouver is an opportunity to come together to grieve the loss of our beloved sisters, remember the women who are still missing, and to dedicate ourselves to justice.

Visit womensmemorialmarch.wordpress.com for more information.

On December 6th BC Regional Council member Virginia Vaillancourt, along with the Victoria Regional Womens’ Committee and Canadian Autoworkers Union Local 114, coordinated a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women candlelight vigil at the Legislature in Victoria. Over 80 participants took time to reflect on the Montreal Massacre, heard from speakers, and collected a large amount of donations for local women’s shelters. Here are some photos, and a news report from the Victoria Times Columnist.

Twentieth anniversary of Montreal Massacre brings calls to save gun registry

Commemorations held in Greater Victoria and across the country

By Katie DeRosa , Times Colonist December 6, 2009

In Montreal, eight-year-old Marjolaine Ouimet, the niece of Geneviève Bergeron — one of Marc Lépine’s victims 20 years ago — places a flower Sunday on her marker at a memorial site named Place du 6-Décembre-1989. Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay is second from the right. Similar ceremonies were held throughout the country, including Victoria.

In Montreal, eight-year-old Marjolaine Ouimet, the niece of Geneviève Bergeron — one of Marc Lépine’s victims 20 years ago — places a flower Sunday on her marker at a memorial site named Place du 6-Décembre-1989. Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay is second from the right. Similar ceremonies were held throughout the country, including Victoria.

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This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, when a man named Marc Lépine killed 14 young women at the École Polytechnique. This extreme example of violence against women will forever be branded in our collective memory. It is marked yearly on December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

When this misogynist crime was committed, women and men across the country promised to turn their grief and their outrage into action. We lobbied and we marched, signed petitions and demanded that governments adopt effective measures to end all forms of violence against women. Yet, 20 years later, violence against women remains endemic: spousal assault, sexual assault, incest and sexual abuse, sexual harassment and racial harassment continue to plague women, especially the most vulnerable women in society.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters:

It is with distinct pleasure that the Victoria Regional Women’s Committee of the Public Service Alliance of Canada BC in collaboration with members of Canadian Auto Workers cordially invite you to attend a memorial event on December 6th, 2009 to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and the ongoing initiatives to end violence against women.

• Download a poster (pdf).

We will be holding a Candle Light vigil on the BC Legislature Grounds on December 6th, 2009 from 5:00 pm to 6 pm. We will be collecting on this occasion various personal items such as new socks, towels, toiletries, journals and small house hold appliances to donate to Women’s Organizations in Victoria. This is especially important to us at this time of Liberal budget constraints within the province. We request that everyone in attendance bring an item for donation to this very noble and necessary social initiative. We feel it our responsibility to support this.

We look forward to seeing you at this very important memorial. In Solidarity,

Virginia Vaillancourt – Chair, Victoria Regional Women’s Committee, PSAC
Sarah Dutsch – Canadian Auto Workers Rep, Local 114, Committee Chair

The next Vancouver RWC meeting will be at 5:30PM at the PSAC Vancouver RO – 200 – 5238 Joyce Street (1 1/2 blocks south of the skytrain).

Agenda Items:

• Update on Women’s Retreat – September
• Update on Women’s Forum – November
• Movie Marilyn Waring on Women and Economics (30 mins.)
• December 6th BC Fed Breakfast
• Financial update

Please RSVP to Colette Savarie at 604 430 5631.

Building a better future for Canada’s children: the need for public childcare

The verdict has long been in – a public system blending early childhood education and child care (ECEC) delivers high quality programs for children and families. What would that system look like? What can we do to push governments to act?

• A Great Place to Grow-Public Child Care
• Vancouver Public Library, Alice McKay Room
• November 24, 2009 – 7-9 pm

Come to a public event aimed at developing – and moving forward – a 21st-century vision for ECEC. Martha Friendly (Childcare Resource and Research Unit in Toronto) and Susan Prentice (University of Manitoba sociology professor), co-authors of the just-published About Canada: Childcare, will join local CUPE and community child care activists to share their views on building a better future for Canada’s children. A series of forums sponsored by CUPE.

Just a reminder that the next Vancouver RWC meeting is scheduled for June 25th, 5:30 PM at the Vancouver RO, 5238 Joyce Street, 2nd floor boardroom.

Agenda items

1. Update on Rebelles Young Feminist Conference
2. Update on Financial statements
3. 2009 Planning
4. BBQ for all

Please RSVP via return email or to Janelle @ 604 430 5631 x 234 so we can plan the food! Download a poster. (pdf)

VDLC Women’s Committee presents – Women in the Philippines with Laarni de los Reyes & Monica Urrutia

• Tuesday, June 9
• 7 pm to 9pm
• Maritime Labour Center
• Boardroom 3

Monica Urrutia and Laarni de los Reyes are members of the Philippine Women Centre. They recently participated in the VDLC labour tour to the Philippines. About 3,500 Filipinos leave the Philippines a day to work abroad. The majority of them are women recruited to Canada to work as live-in caregivers or as temporary workers in fast food companies.

Monica and Laarni will talk out about the economic and human rights conditions that force Filipino women to leave their families and their home country and the connections between Filipino and Canadian women. They will also share stories of Filipino women’s struggles, their organizing activities and their spirit of resistance.

Please RSVP to the VDLC office to ensure space.

Vancouver Regional Womens Committee Annual General Meeting

Wednesday April 8th, 5:45PM
200-5238 Joyce St. (1 1/2 block south of the SkyT rain)

Tonight�s discussion topic is � Women and Politics�.

Also on the agenda:

• Election of officers
• Observer to PSAC National Convention
• Resolutions to National Convention
• Plan and budget for 2009
• Plus guest speaker: Deborah Payment on The Public Compensation Coalition (changes to WCB)

Please RSVP to Colette Savarie at (604) 430-5631 as light snacks will be served. F or more information about the
Vancouver RWC, contact Angela at ontheprowl@shaw.ca or Alethea at alethea1@shaw.ca

Working Toward Women�s Equality!

The Conservative government has been systematically chipping away at women�s rights since taking power in 2006. In the budget it tabled last January, the government took aim specifically at pay equity for women employed in the federal public service. On the occasion of International Women�s Day, PSAC is denouncing the sexist and discriminatory policies of the Harper government.

Child care

Child care is clearly not a priority for this government. In fact, Canada ranks last among developed countries when it comes to the number of available child care spaces. Public funding earmarked for child care services and early childhood education doesn�t even come close to meeting the need.

In spite of broad consensus that a $2.2 billion investment is urgently needed, the Harper government refused to allocate a portion of its 2009 budget to funding of child care services. This decision will have dramatic repercussions across the country.

It is estimated that 22,000 child care spots will be lost in Ontario due to a lack of federal funding. PSAC believes that Canada needs a universal child care system now. This is crucial to ensuring equality for women. We must continue to pressure the federal government so that we win this make-or-break battle!

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NEW YORK�Representatives of women�s groups and labour unions gathered at the United Nations yesterday, to announce that they will be filing a complaint against the Harper government with the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The complaint condemns the Canadian government for rushing controversial pay equity legislation through Parliament, which will make it extremely difficult for women in the federal public sector to demand equal pay for work of equal value.

The �notice of communication� to the UN was signed by representatives of more than 40 organizations, including the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Syndicat de la fonction publique du Qu�bec, the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions and the Feminist Alliance for International Action.

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Prince George Regional Women’s Committee AGM and 2009 elections of officers meeting

• March 7th 2008
• Ramada Inn, 444 George Street, Prince George, Alder Room
• time: Following the IWD Breakfast, approx 11AM – 12:30PM

Election for Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary, any sister in good PSAC membership standing can run for an elected position.

Tentative Agenda

• Adoption of Feb. 21st/09 minutes
• 2008 Financial Statement (adoption)
• Elections
• Round table discussion/questions

Ottawa didn’t do cost estimates for new Tory plan, senior officials acknowledge

OTTAWA � Ottawa prepared no estimates to demonstrate that a controversial and divisive shift in establishing pay equity for 400,000 federal public servants would ultimately save taxpayers money, senior officials acknowledged yesterday.

Under the new regime the Harper government first unveiled in a restraint package last fall, the Canadian Human Rights Commission will be forbidden from hearing complaints from federal public servants on pay equity. That has previously served as the first step in a dispute process that led to litigation forcing Ottawa to dole out big settlements for pay imbalances.

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Ottawa � The Public Service Alliance of Canada is encouraging opposition members to remove legislation from the budget bill that would prevent women in the federal public sector from demanding equal pay for work of equal value.

The 166,000-member union is concerned that the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act will remove women’s ability to file pay equity complaints, making the process even more difficult than the current complaints-based system.

The �pay equity� bill is part of the omnibus Budget Implementation Act (Bill C-10), which was tabled on February 7, 2009. PSAC refutes the notion that this legislation is �proactive,� given that it ignores the recommendations made in the well-respected 2004 report from the federal Task Force on Pay Equity. The union contends that the new scheme would make a bad system much worse, removing pay equity’s status as a human right and opening it up to market forces.

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PSAC Okanagan Regional Women�s Committee
Minutes of Meeting November 15, 2008
ABC Restaurant, Harvey Avenue, Kelowna

In Attendance:

• Susan Yaciw UTE 20003
• Nicole Jefferies USGE 20153
• Roberta Gourlie CEIU 20915
• Linda Woods NAT 20140
• Kelly Megyesi CEIU 20915
• Gabrielle Villecourt USGE 20153

Continue reading below or download the Okanagan RWC minutes, November 15 2008 (pdf)

The meeting was called to order at 11:10a.m. with Kelly Megyesi in the chair.

Minutes: Minutes from October 4 were distributed and accepted. m/s/c

Treasurer�s Report: Kelly advises there has been $1300 in revenue and $40 in expenses
leaving a balance of $2536.31. m/s/c

Old Business:

• Susan provided copy of J. Leenhout�s report of June 2008 CEIU BC/AB/Terr Women�s Training and Conference (copy attached). A short training segment about media communication was presented by Koraliey Little. An update of Bountiful was provided and four working groups produced letters to the editors of major newspapers.
• Lee Lakeman of the Vancouver Rape Relief and Crisis Center gave an insightful presentation regarding the movement to legalize prostitution prior to the 2010 Olympics. An idea of a newsletter to all members was discussed with a goal to issue quarterly or semi-annually. Title to be �WOMBATS.�

New Business:

2009 National Convention:

• S. Yaciw elected as Area Council delegate. R. Gourlie elected as 1st alternate. R. Gourlie presented approximate costs to attend convention ($300 airfare, accommodation unknown, $510 meals/incidentals @$85/day, $1000 Lost Wages @ $200/day, $225 registration fee, $125 ground transportation = $2160 + accommodation.
• Motion (Kelly, seconded by Susan) THAT $500 from OAC + $500 from ORWC be
  provided to assist alternate to attend convention.
• Amended Motion (Kelly, seconded by Gabrielle) THAT $200/per convention day to a maximum of $1200/convention, split between OAC and ORWC, be provided to assist alternate to attend convention
• Carried
• Discussion surrounding amount of money in account and desire to utilize meaningfully.
• Motion: (Kelly, seconded by Susan) moved THAT $500 be given to local womens� organizations throughout Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Armstrong. Carried

December 6:

• Motion: (Kelly, seconded by Nicole) moved THAT for Dec 6 National Violence Against Women Day, ads in newspaper be taken out throughout the Okanagan with this theme. Carried
• Ad to contain similar to ORWC honours National Day of Remembrance of Violence Against Women.
• Action: Kelly to contact Patrick at Reg�l office for suggestions for ad.

March 6:

• Lots of ideas put forward on how to celebrate International Women�s Day next March. Best suggestion was a card and package of stickies to every members.
• Action: Gabrielle to design log for card.
• Action: Susan to provide short paragraphs on OAC and ORWC.
• Action: Kelly to obtain cost of stickies.

Next Meeting: January 24, 2009 (Tentative)

Adjourned at 11:45 a.m. m/s/c

Each year the Public Service Alliance of Canada remembers and mourns the 14 young women who were killed on December 6, 1989 at the �cole Polytechnique in Montreal. We rededicate ourselves every year to end violence against women.

It is estimated that at least one in every four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime and that in the last five years alone, more than half a million women in Quebec and the rest of Canada (approximately 654,000 women) will have been abused by their common law partner or their husband.

Sexual assault remains a crime that is committed with impunity, since less than 10 per cent of all cases are reported to the police. First Nations, Inuit and M�tis women experience exceptionally high levels of violence. Crushing poverty, a lack of affordable housing, and the legacy of colonialism makes them even more vulnerable to abuse and sexual exploitation.

According to the Sisters in Spirit campaign, more than 500 Aboriginal women are currently missing or have been murdered. Despite sustained mobilization and public pressure, law enforcement agencies still seem to place a low priority on finding missing Aboriginal women. Indeed, charges have been laid in only 42 per cent of the cases, and 56 per cent remain unsolved.

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The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) says the Conservatives’ plan to introduce new legislation covering pay equity for federal public sector employees flies in the face of the principles in the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as international human rights law.

“The Harper government doesn’t want to modernize pay equity, it just wants to eliminate its responsibility for providing a workplace free of discrimination, including wage discrimination,” according to PSAC national president John Gordon.

Turning over pay equity to the bargaining table and making both the employer and the union accountable may seem like a reasonable thing to do until you consider the discrepancy between the two parties.

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