Bill C-406

1st Session, 41st Parliament,

60-61 Elizabeth II, 2011-2012

house of commons of canada

BILL C-406

An Act respecting the mandate of Status of Women Canada

Whereas a Royal Commission on the Status of Women in Canada established on February 16, 1967, to inquire into and report on the status of women in Canada made significant recommendations on steps to be taken by the federal government to ensure women equal opportunities with men in all aspects of Canadian society, having regard to the distribution of legislative powers under the Constitution of Canada, particularly with reference to federal statutes, regulations and policies that concern or affect the rights and activities of women;

Whereas Canada is a party to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and encourages the advancement and full participation of women in all spheres of life;

Whereas all Canadians are committed to promoting gender equality in a manner consist- ent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms;

Whereas it is in the interest of Canadians to identify and raise awareness on issues that affect the social, economic and democratic rights of women;

Whereas concerted action by Canadians to increase respect for women's rights enhances the lives of all Canadians;

And whereas the Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women, was designated as a department for the purposes of the Financial Administration Act and the Public Service Employment Act pursuant to Order in Council P.C. 1976-779 of April 1, 1976;

Now therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

SHORT TITLE

1. This Act may be cited as the Status of Women Canada Act.

INTERPRETATION

2. The following definitions apply in this Act.

“Minister” means the Minister responsible for Status of Women Canada.

“Status of Women Canada” means the Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women, designated as a department for the purposes of the Financial Administration Act and the Public Service Employment Act pursuant to Order in Council P.C. 1976-779 of April 1, 1976.

3. The Office of the Coordinator, Status of Women, referred to in section 2 is continued.

MANDATE OF STATUS OF WOMEN CANADA

4. The mandate of Status of Women Canada is to

(a) promote gender equality and the advancement and full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country;

(b) coordinate federal policy development relating to the status of women's equality and human rights;

(c) advise and assist the Minister in the coordination and promotion of governmental activities related to the status of women;

(d) encourage gender-sensitive policy making across the federal government, provide gender-based analysis training, tools and resources and evaluate their integration into the legislation, policies, programs and practices of the federal government;

(e) conduct an on-going review and evaluation of the federal government’s progress in advancing the status of women, with a focus on their economic autonomy and well-being and physical and psychological well-being, democratic participation and equal representation in elected and public offices at all levels of government and on reduction of violence against women and children;

(f) administer and fund programs that encourage and support action to further the advancement of women, including research and advocacy related to these programs;

(g) engage in consultations with the federal government, international agencies and Canadian organizations, communities, educational institutions, voluntary organizations, employers, unions and individual citizens; and

(h) monitor changing public attitudes towards the status of women and identify new needs and systemic barriers impeding wom- en's progress and make recommendations for improvements to the existing laws of Canada in this regard.