Statement by the Delegation of Canada to the 53rd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

New York, March 2009

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Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates

As Minister of State (Status of Women), I am pleased to address the 53rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women on behalf of Canada.  I look forward to productive discussions on the priority theme for this session and the particularly timely consideration of the issue of gender and the current financial crisis.  I would also like to commend the Secretary-General for his report and appreciate that he has recognized the multiple dimensions of the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, both in the home and outside of it.

Mr. Chair,
Canada, like many countries, is currently experiencing the effects of the global economic downturn.  The impact of this downturn on women is an important issue that we will need to assess on an ongoing basis.

Women are an essential part of the economy and when women prosper, everyone prospers.  At the same time, financial and economic crises can have disproportionate effects on women around the world.  With this in mind, the Government of Canada is reaching out and forming alliances with other levels of government and the private and non-profit sectors to ensure that women not only continue to contribute to economic growth, but also benefit from economic measures the Government is taking.  These measures include promoting women's attachment to the workforce, encouraging their participation in non-traditional careers, ensuring their equal access to employment opportunities and benefits and supporting women's entrepreneurship and access to markets. 

It is important to note that Canada is adhering to conclusions adopted by this Commission in previous years that States ensure women are not discriminated against in times of structural change and economic recession.  From a principled perspective, Canada's 2009 Economic Action Plan is a balanced approach of injecting economic stimulus and providing the socio - economic support for the most vulnerable in society.

Canada continues to create the conditions for women to succeed - within Canada and internationally. Centered largely upon three pillars: Economic Security for Women, Ending Violence against Women and Increasing Women in Leadership, Canada has brought forward measures that are aimed at allowing women to participate fully in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada.

Women's increased participation in the paid work force has been one of the most significant trends in Canada in recent decades. In 2006, Canada had one of the highest labour force participation rates for women among all OECD countries, and the highest among G-7 countries. Although our country has substantially narrowed the gender gap in many areas, we still have a way to go to achieve full and equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men. 

Canada, like other countries, continues to face challenges with respect to the imbalance in unpaid work, wherein the bulk of child-oriented work and care for elderly, disabled or chronically ill family members falls to women.  We recognize the invaluable contributions of our unpaid caregivers and provide them with support through a number of mechanisms, including a Universal Child Care plan, a variety of tax credits, maternity and parental benefits, Compassionate Care benefits and targeted programs for caregivers of Veterans and First Nations. 

To address caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS, the Government of Canada has launched the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS, which supports collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, civil society and health care professionals to improve the quality of life of women and men living with HIV/AIDS, including providing support to those in caregiving roles. 

Mr. Chair,

This year's priority theme shares an important connection with the review theme of women's participation in decision-making at all levels. To achieve equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, equal participation between women and men in decision-making is essential.  Indeed, the United Nations has postulated that a critical mass of at least 30% women is needed before political institutions begin to change and legislatures produce public policy representing women's concerns.

In a move to increase women in leadership, the Government of Canada is strongly committed to advancing women's participation in democratic life.  Following the last federal election in October 2008, women now account for almost 30% of Cabinet Ministers, the highest ever in the history of Canada.  Appointments to agencies, boards and commissions have reached the 30% threshold.  In addition, this year, the Provincial Government of Quebec achieved gender parity in its Cabinet of Ministers for the first time.  The Government of Canada is also committed to ensuring future generations are enabled to participate in democratic life through programs for mentorship and political literacy.

Mr. Chair,

In addition to the measures I have already outlined, Canada is taking a more comprehensive approach to the advancement of women.  During the last Commission on the Status of Women, Canada announced that it was developing a Federal Action Plan for Women.  Since that time, the Government of Canada has initiated a number of strategic partnerships to advance women's economic security and prosperity, to address violence against women, and to increase the participation of women and girls in leadership roles across society. 

Mr. Chair,

On the international stage, Canada is a strong supporter of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  We recognize gender equality and women's empowerment as a development goal in its own right, and essential to the achievement of all other Goals.  As part of the MDG 3 Global Call to Action, Canada is renewing its commitment to women around the world.  

We are also committed to women's human rights and are responding to the recommendations of the CEDAW Committee.  The Government of Canada remains firm in its support for gender equality and has renewed its commitment to women at a time when Canadians have told us it is needed. 

Mr. Chair,

In the year since this Commission last met, there have been continued efforts to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to deliver gender equality results. Canada commends the work undertaken thus far by the Co-Chairs of the High Level Panel on System Wide Coherence, the Deputy Secretary-General, member states and civil society.  With this preparatory work in place, we have confidence that member states will now act to implement a more coherent and coordinated approach to meeting our shared commitment to women's human rights, equality and sustainable poverty reduction.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.  My delegation looks forward to continuing discussions on these important issues.

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