Wednesday, April 15, 2009

NB Women's News - April 13, 2009

NB Women's News - April 13, 2009

- A service of the New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women
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(Défilez vers le bas pour la version française)
 
 YOU CAN’T PAY ME TO DO IT
Women account for 92% of parental leave-takers in the province, even though parents (biological or adoptive) can share or split parental benefits.
Took paid parental leave in 2008 in New Brunswick:
   233 fathers (15 in 1997). 
  2,810 mothers. 
There were about 7,000 births in the province in 2008.

About 35% of pregnant women in the paid labour force cannot qualify for the federal maternity /parental leave program. Parents who are self-employed or working less than the minimum required hours in the previous year (600 hrs since 2001) do not qualify for these benefits.

- Various, incl.Statistics Canada, Employment Insurance, custom tabulation ; www.acswcccf.nb.ca/english/documents/5%20Family%20E%20Jan18.pdf .


*******NB Women’s News *******
NOTICE, RESOURCES, EVENTS
  A DAWN (DisAbled Women’s Network) Canada researcher, Jewelles Smith, wishes to interview disabled mothers (whether they have custody of their children or not); re problems and issues they face.  (778) 373-1996 www.dawncanada.net

  Birth Talk - free, family friendly gathering to share/hear birth stories & benefit from wisdom of other women's birth experiences. For new/ expectant parents and those with grown or not yet conceived children, childbirth educators, health professionals. Tues 14 April 2009, 6:30pm, 109 Burlington Ave, Moncton. natarsenault@gmail.com ; 204-4555.

  Not-for-profit organizations are invited to apply by 8 May 2009 for funding from Human Resources & Skills Development Cda in developing/testing programs that support children & families; caregiving; and strengthen not-for-profits. Up to $200,000/yr for 2-3 yrs. www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/community_partnerships/sdpp/index.shtml

  Keep Our Health Care Public - Moncton will be the launch site of a Canada-wide campaign to stop privatization of health care: Wed 15 April 2009, 10am, Lion’s Community Centre. Canadian Health Coalition & N.B. Health Coalition  862-9182 ; Michael McBane (613) 277-6295.

  Scholarship Fundraiser Dessert Bridge & 45s - Canadian Federation of University Women Saint John will be holding, Wed 22 April 2009, 7pm, St. Mark's Church, Dexter Dr.  $8 ($32 for a table of 8): Mary Doherty, 658-1273.

  Stroke Resource Guide & Women's Health Circles Handbook – 2 new books by Ontario Women's Health Network. Linking social determinants of health to stroke risk factors & signs. Approaches to conducting health circles. www.owhn.on.ca/


*******NB Women’s News *******
CONTEST TO WIN A “COOKBOOK FOR WOMEN’S EQUALITY”
Win this small cookbook/ fundraiser/ awareness-raiser by the national group, Ad-Hoc Coalition for Women’s Equality and Human Rights.  It includes this recipe: “Upside-Down Justice Cake - This delicious summer cake is baked upside-down, just like the Harper government’s approach to justice!”

The recipes – and the opinions - are real.  Answer this question correctly for a chance to win: What is the date of the next planned provincial election in N.B.?  Send to acswcccf@gnb.ca by 4pm, Fri 17 April 2009.


*******NB Women’s News *******
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A N.B. HOME SUPPORT WORKER
... “I have changed ostomies (after being shown by extra mural), I have done lifts and transfers, used a Hoyer lift (by myself!). both after being trained by nurses and/or physical therapist... I have walked dogs, changed adult diapers, given baths/showers to people with mobility problems and/or dementia. Been supportive listener to family caregivers, been psychiatric attendant (for lack of better word) to client with personality disorder. I have acted as interpreter… for hard of hearing clients at doctors office.  I remind clients to take medications, what day it is, what they did yesterday. I drive and escort them to doctors appts , medical tests and procedures, grocery shopping and errands. And oh yes, I also clean the house and prepare meals.” – Charlotte, Apr 2009.

  “My part of the $2.2 million (new provincial funding announced in March budget) converted to 39 cents extra an hour. I'm still making under $11/hour… We are still some of the lowest paid for our field of work in Canada.” - Nancy, Apr 2009.

  Dont forget using our own vehicles on these roads, in all weather, racking up kms and car repairs! plus the insurance rates to do this job, the cell phone you need in case of emergency, being late to a client or when a client doesn’t respond to our knock on thier door!  I'm lucky not to have gotten stopped for speeding getting from one client to another when they are scheduled 8-11, 11-1, 1-3, 3-5 and 5-7 and live up to 40 kms away from home (don’t get paid for there and back) and the clients are 20-30 kms away from each other!

Juggle, prep, scrub, run, hurry, stress, plan, remind, change, transfer, bath, feed, disinfect, find alternatives to equipment we dont have, speed,worry, mend, soothe, calm, compromise, decide, errands, go broke and dance backwards in high heels!!

- From a facebook discussion by N.B. home support workers www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7021053662#/topic.php?uid=30084914674&topic=8447


*******NB Women’s News *******
“EVERYONE CALLED HER FRANK”
Frances Lilian Fish was born in Newcastle in 1888... She and her 4 sisters were university-educated... Frances and 2 of her sisters took degrees at UNB, Frances graduating in classics in 1910… Fish taught at the Grammar School in Campbellton. While there in 1913, she became a student-at-law, only the second woman in N.B. to do so since Mabel French – the province’s first woman lawyer. Intending lawyers from the North Shore favoured Dalhousie (Univ.) over what is now UNB, but Fish hesitated because Nova Scotia lagged far behind N.B. in the matter of calling women lawyers. In 1915, however, having learned that the Nova Scotia Barristers Society was admitting woman law students, Fish came to Dalhousie (Univ), from which she graduated LLB in 1918… After her estranged father’s death in 1933, Frances settled in Newcastle, where she had not lived for 20 years… Fish spent the rest of her life in Newcastle as a sole practitioner (lawyer). If Fish had a specialization it was family law, especially divorce... She also did legal work for First Nations bands in Northumberland. In 1935 she became the first woman lawyer to argue a case before the N.B. Court of Appeal.  In the provincial election of 1935 Fish became the first woman to stand for the N.B. legislature, leading the poll for the Conservatives in Northumberland. All 4 Conservatives went down to defeat, as did the Conservative government of Leonard P.D. Tilley, which had made Fish’s candidature a plank in their election platform... She continued to practise law until shortly before her death in 1975. Frances Fish left no papers, everything appears to have gone into the fire, but a rich oral tradition behind her; … her name remains legend on the North Shore.

- Excerpts, “Everyone Called Her Frank”, Copyright © 2009 Barry Cahill, who is working on a book about Frances Fish. Contact him with information at N.S. Public Archives, 6016 University Ave, Halifax, B3H 1W4; 902 429 6289; yorkhill@eastlink.ca.


*******NB Women’s News *******
CANADA’S WELCOME TO REFUGEE WOMEN
Canada was the first country, 16 years ago, to recognize that women are sometimes persecuted because of their sex - that there are “gender” refugees.  Persecution and violence is often “gendered”, whether it is done by public authorities or at the hands of individuals from whose actions the state is unwilling or unable to protect – rape, wife abuse and genital mutilation, for example. Canada’s Guidelines on Women Refugee Claimants Fearing Gender-Related Persecution and Canadian court decisions have had some international influence on women's rights in refugee law… That is the part to be proud of about Canada and refugees, along with the facts that April 4 is Refugee Rights Day because on that day in 1985, the Supreme Court ruled that the Charter of Rights protects the right of refugee claimants while they are in Canada… But there are problems… 

- Excerpt from a column by Chairperson Elsie Hambrook, March 2009. www.acswcccf.nb.ca/english/documents/refugees-%202009.pdf


*******NB Women’s News *******
HOMELESSNESS IN GREATER MONCTON
No. of emergency shelter beds in Greater Moncton:  for men, 26; for women, 21 (17, for domestic violence cases; 4, other).  Crossroads for Women (transition house for women fleeing violence) housed 131 women & 88 children in 2007-08. 21 of these women stayed 24 hrs; 75 stayed 2 wks; 13, 2 to 4 wks; & 21, 4 wks.

There is very little shelter for homeless or at risk women in Greater Moncton, especially those who are young and pregnant. In Sept 2008, Harvest House had an average of 30 people/night, men and women, sleeping on mats. Some were pregnant women.

No. of beds for drug/alcohol rehab, addictions: For men,14.  For women, 6.

- From The First Report Card on Homelessness in Greater Moncton, 2008, http://monctonhomelessness.org/documents/greater_moncton_homelessness_report_card_2008.pdf


*******NB Women’s News *******
TRADITIONS DENY WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Two years ago, Eufrosina Cruz was kept from running for mayor by the "traditions and customs" of her indigenous community (Zapoteca Indians) in Mexico - she is a woman… (Now) she represents an association, Queremos Unir Integrando por Equidad y Género en Oaxaca ("we come together for equity and gender in Oaxaca"), aimed at highlighting the deep-rooted nature of native traditions and customs in communities.  Of Oaxaca’s 570 municipalities, 418 are governed according to indigenous traditions and customs, and in 82 of them, women are not allowed to vote or stand for office. Native traditions and customs are recognised by local and federal law.  The denial of women’s political rights had not been loudly protested until Cruz brought it to the attention of state and national authorities… (There ensued) death threats, police protection and reform of the state constitution, which stipulates that no local tradition can apply if it denies the rights of indigenous women. A 2006 study on gender issues by the government National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples states that "among the poorest of the poor, among the most marginalised of the marginalised, are indigenous women. On many occasions, they are discriminated against because they are indigenous, because they are women, and because they are poor. The social systems of their own communities also frequently exclude them.”

- Indigenous Woman on the Offensive, Diego Cevallos, 1 Apr 2009, www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46355


*******NB Women’s News *******
AS THEY say
Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.

- Jonathan Kozol, U.S. non-fiction writer, educator, and activist. 
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___________________________________________________________
 
TU NE PEUX PAS ME PAYER POUR LE FAIRE
Les femmes représentent encore la très grande majorité (92 %) des personnes qui profitent du congé parental, bien que les parents, biologiques et d’adoption, peuvent se partager le congé et les prestations de ce programme fédéral.

Au N.-B. en 2008, ont profité du congé parental:
  233 pères (comparativement à 15 en 1997).
  2 810 mères.

On a compté près de 7 000 naissances en 2008 au N.-B.
Au moins 35% des travailleuses enceintes ne bénéficient du programme fédéral de prestations de maternité et de congé parental.  Les parents qui sont à leur propre compte ou qui n’ont pas accumulé les 600 heures de travail dans l’année précédent l’arrivée de l’enfant ne sont pas éligibles aux prestations.
- Diverses sources dont Statistique Canada, Assurance emploi, tableau personnalisé ; www.acswcccf.nb.ca/french/documents/5%20Family%20F%20Jan30B.pdf


******* NouvELLES *******
AVIS, RESSOURCES, ÉVÉNEMENTS
  Les organismes sans but lucratif sont invités à présenter une demande de financement pour des projets visant à aider les enfants et les familles; les soins continus; et les organismes sans but lucratif.  Une contribution maximum de 200 000 $/ an sur 2 à 3 ans.  Date de clôture, 8 mai 2009. Ministère fédéral de Ressources humaines et Développement des compétences Canada

www.rhdcc.gc.ca/fra/partenariats_communautaires/ppds/call/mieux_etre_social/2009/enf_famille.shtml

  Gardons notre système de santé public – Le démarrage de la campagne canadienne visant à prévenir la privatisation de notre système de santé aura lieu à Moncton le mercredi 15 avril 2009, 10 h., Centre communautaire Lions.  Le docteur Micheal Rachlis, analyste de politiques et expert du système public de santé du Canada, sera présent.  Coalition canadienne de la santé & Coalition de la santé du NB. Micheal McBane, 613-277-6295 ; 862-9182.


******* NouvELLES *******
CONCOURS - « RECETTES POUR L’ÉGALITÉ DES FEMMES »
Courez la chance de gagner ce livret pour «  cuisiner pour l’égalité ! », un projet de financement et de sensibilisation de la Coalition spéciale pour l’égalité des femmes et les droits de la personne.  Recette typique :
« Macaroni au bœuf - Ce repas économique est nourrissant et rassasiant, contrairement aux politiques du gouvernement Harper en matière d’équité salariale.  Quand des Canadiennes qui travaillent à plein temps ne gagnent que 71% du salaire du leurs homologues masculins, il y a tout lieu de se demander « ce qu’on nous mijote ».
Les recettes sont réelles et les opinions aussi ! Pour une chance de gagner, répondez à cette question : Quelle est la date prévue de la prochaine élection provinciale au N.-B. ?  Envoyez votre réponse au acswcccf@gnb.ca avant 16h, le vendredi 17 avril 2009.


******* NouvELLES *******
FÉMINISTES INSPIRANTES - MARIE-PIER, 15 ANS, GRANDE-DIGUE
Mon nom est Marie-Pier Martin et je suis une jeune féministe… D’après moi, une féministe, c’est une fille ou femme qui s’implique dans sa communauté et dans le monde, et qui travaille sur des causes qui touchent les femmes. Elle peut avoir n’importe quel âge et peut venir de n’importe quel milieu… Je crois que nous devrons continuer à lutter longtemps pour les droits des femmes car les mentalités du genre les femmes sont inférieures aux hommes sont parfois encore inconsciemment enracinées dans la pensée des gens... Au Canada, je trouve scandaleux que certaines filles endurent des abus de toutes sortes en pensant que c’est normal. C’est difficile à comprendre. Comme si les lois avaient changé, mais pas les esprits.  Le féminisme n’est pas dépassé. Courage les filles !!

- Tiré du zine qui accompagne la trousse Féminisme 101, Fondation filles d’action, 2009 www.powercampnational.ca/files/FEM%20101%20ZINE%20FINAL_compressed.pdf ; www.powercampnational.ca/fr/zine-f%C3%A9ministe-101


******* NouvELLES *******
L’ACCUEIL DES FEMMES RÉFUGIÉES AU CANADA
Le Canada a été le premier pays, il y a 16 ans, à reconnaître la persécution des femmes en raison de leur sexe, de même que les revendications du statut de réfugié fondées sur le sexe. La persécution et la violence sont souvent fondées sur le sexe, par exemple le viol, la violence contre l’épouse et la mutilation génitale, qu’elles soient subies aux mains des autorités publiques ou des personnes contre qui l’État ne veut pas ou ne peut pas protéger les femmes. Les directives du Canada intitulées Revendicatrices du statut de réfugié craignant d’être persécutées en raison de leur sexe et les décisions des tribunaux canadiens en la matière ont eu une influence internationale sur les droits des femmes dans le droit des réfugiés… Ce sont des sources de fierté en ce qui concerne le Canada et les réfugiés, tout comme la Journée des droits des réfugiés le 4 avril. À cette date, en 1985, la Cour suprême du Canada a déclaré que la Charte canadienne des droits et libertés protège le droit des demandeurs du statut de réfugié pendant qu’ils sont au Canada. Les réfugiés qui arrivent au Canada acquièrent les droits découlant des principes de la justice fondamentale et du droit international.
Il existe cependant des problèmes…

- Extrait de la chronique par la présidente Elsie Hambrook, mars 2009, www.acswcccf.nb.ca/french/documents/refugees-%202009%20FR.pdf


******* NouvELLES *******
LA DIVERSITÉ AU SERVICE DES INÉGALITÉS ?
La victoire la plus complète remportée sur le racisme et le sexisme ne comblerait pas le fossé entre les riches et les pauvres ; elle modifierait simplement leur répartition par sexe, inclination sexuelle et couleur de peau. Une France où un plus grand nombre de Noirs seraient riches ne serait pas économiquement plus égalitaire, ce serait juste un pays où le fossé entre les Noirs pauvres et les Noirs riches serait plus large.

Les inégalités entre Blancs et non-Blancs, entre hommes et femmes, hétéros et homos... - découlent avant tout de discriminations et de préjugés… Il suffirait, pour les éliminer, d'éradiquer le racisme et le sexisme. Mais les inégalités entre riches et pauvres, patrons et ouvriers ne trouvent leur origine ni dans le racisme ni dans le sexisme ; elles résultent des rapports de propriété et du capitalisme. En matière d'inégalité économique, le racisme et le sexisme fonctionnent comme des systèmes de tri : ils ne génèrent pas l'inégalité elle-même, mais en répartissent les effets… Jusqu'à la fin des années 70, les courants dominants de la gauche se préoccupaient exclusivement d'égalité économique… À partir du tournant libéral de 1983, la lutte contre les discriminations a remplacé la " rupture avec le capitalisme " dans la hiérarchie des objectifs. La volonté d'en finir avec le racisme et le sexisme s'est révélée compatible avec le libéralisme économique, alors que la volonté de réduire … le fossé entre les riches et les pauvres ne l'est pas.
La conception de la justice sociale qui sous-tend le combat pour la diversité - nos problèmes sociaux fondamentaux proviendraient de la discrimination et de l'intolérance plutôt que de l'exploitation - repose sur une …parodie de justice sociale qui entérine l'élargissement du fossé économique entre riches et pauvres tant que les riches comptent (proportionnellement) autant de Noirs, de basanés et de Jaunes que de Blancs, autant de femmes que d'hommes, autant d'homosexuels que d'hétérosexuels. Une "justice sociale" qui accepte les injustices générées par le capitalisme. Et qui optimise même le système économique en distribuant les inégalités sans distinction d'origine ni de genre. La diversité n'est pas un moyen d'instaurer l'égalité ; c'est une méthode de gestion de l'inégalité.

- Tiré de Liberté, fraternité... diversité ?, Walter Benn Michaels, Le Monde diplomatique, fév 2009. 

Si vous souhaitez lire cet article en entier, demandez une copie électronique : acswcccf@gnb.ca


******* NouvELLES *******
RAPPORT SUR L’ITINÉRANCE DANS LE GRAND MONCTON
Nombre de places dans les refuges du Grand Moncton : Hommes 26 ; Femmes 21 (victimes de violence familiale, 17 ; autre, 4)  La maison de transition pour femmes violentées, Carrefour pour femmes, a accueilli (2007-08) 131 femmes et 88 enfants. 21 femmes ont fait un séjour de 24 heures ; 75 femmes, de 2 semaines ; 13, de 2 à 4 sem. ; et 21, de plus de 4 sem.

Le Grand Moncton compte très peu de refuges pour les femmes sans abri ou qui risquent de le devenir, surtout pour les jeunes femmes enceintes.  En sept 2008, une trentaine de personnes, hommes et femmes, dormaient la nuit sur des matelas sur le sol à Harvest House, y compris des femmes enceintes.

Nombre de places pour la désintoxication des toxicomanes/alcooliques : Hommes 14 ; Femmes 6.

- Tiré du Premier rapport sur l’itinérance dans le Grand Moncton, 2008, http://monctonhomelessness.org/quoideneuf.html


******* NouvELLES *******
LA RELATION ENTRE L'ENVIRONNEMENT ET LE CANCER DU SEIN
L’État des connaissances 2008 est un rapport détaillé portant sur les expositions environnementales liées à l’augmentation du risque de cancer du sein. Il dresse un portrait bien plus complexe des causes du cancer du sein que celui traditionnellement brossé, un portrait où il est question des rapports entre le moment, les mélanges et la dose de l’exposition environnementale et les facteurs génétiques et les aspects concernant le mode de vie.

Le cancer du sein frappe plus de femmes dans le monde que tout autre cancer, à l’exception du cancer de la peau... Les facteurs de risque couramment étudiés (antécédents, surpoids, consommation d’alcool, manque d’exercice…) sont loin d’expliquer les taux d’incidence … Un nombre croissant d’études indiquent que l’exposition à des substances chimiques ou à des radiations pendant la période foetale, la petite enfance ou l’adolescence amènent à une prédisposition très marquée au cancer du sein.

Un effort collectif est nécessaire. Il nous faut caractériser les origines environnementales de cancer du sein et les éliminer. La section Aller de l’avant appelle les militants et les législateurs et les écocitoyens à la mobilisation. Nous proposons toute une gamme de méthodes d’intervention permettant de jouer un rôle actif dans la prévention du cancer du sein. Vous trouverez les outils nécessaires pour concevoir de nouvelles réglementations aux divers paliers de gouvernement, ainsi que de nouvelles pistes de recherche.
- Tiré de L’État des connaissances 2008 - La relation entre l’environnement et le cancer du sein. Première édition française - traduction par l'Action cancer du sein de Montréal.  www.bcam.qc.ca/siteweb/pdfs/SOE_FR.pdf


******* NouvELLES *******
TEL QUEL
Personne ne peut bien penser, bien aimer et bien dormir, à moins d’avoir bien mangé.
- Virginia Wolf, écrivaine anglaise, 1882- 1941. 
Abonnez-vous à ce bulletin électronique en envoyant un courriel à acswcccf@gnb.ca avec "ABONNER NouvELLES" ou, sur www.acswcccf.nb.ca , cliquez Recevez des nouvelles par courriel.
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Visitez notre site internet pour des nouvelles, des avis d'événements et des publications d'intérêt aux femmes au Nouveau-Brunswick! www.acswcccf.nb.ca
 
 
Rosella Melanson
Directrice générale, Conseil consultatif sur la condition de la femme au Nouveau-Brunswick
506 444-4101 ; 1 800 332-3087 ; télécopieur 506 444-4318
236, rue King, Fredericton (N.-B.) E3B 1E2
Executive Director, New Brunswick Advisory Council on the Status of Women
506 444-4101; 1-800-332-3087; fax 506 444-4318
236 King St. Fredericton, N.B. E3B 1E2
rosella.melanson@gnb.ca ; www.acswcccf.nb.ca
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Monday, February 16, 2009

WOMEN AND POVERTY:- An Inclusive Analysis for the Dialogue Sessions on Poverty Reduction in January 2009

WOMEN AND POVERTY:
An Inclusive Analysis
for Poverty Reduction

Suggested Directions
for the Dialogue Sessions of the
Provincial Dialogue on Poverty Reduction


(Winter 2009)

NB Coalition for Pay Coalition
coalitio@nb.sympatico.ca
www.equite-equity.com
506-855-0002

January 2009
WOMEN AND POVERTY:
An Inclusive Analysis for Poverty Reduction

INTRODUCTION


The provincial government has decided to organize a consultation process in order to develop a poverty reduction initiative. The consultation process, as it is planned, includes:
Face-to-face Dialogue Sessions throughout the province between January and May 2009. All women and men in New Brunswickers may register to take part.
In addition to these sessions, New Brunswickers can participate on line or send an email, a letter, a fax or a brief.
At the end of the Dialogue Sessions, a report will be produced and made available to New Brunswickers.
The final report on the consultations will be presented to women and men who take part in Phase II (Round Table Sessions taking place in winter 2009).

The NB Coalition for Pay Equity would like to invite you to take part in the Dialogue Sessions of the Provincial Dialogue on Poverty Reduction, which have been organized by the provincial government and will take place between January and March 2009. The Dialogue Sessions provide an excellent opportunity to encourage the government to adopt legislation for pay equity covering both the public and the private sectors, to use an inclusive analysis (that is…), and to consider the needs and perspectives of women in developing policies and programs.

Register in advance by phoning 1-888-315-6606. You'll find the schedule of Dialogue Sessions here: <http://www.gnb.ca/0017/promos/0001/dialogueSession-e.asp>

During the dialogue sessions, the facilitator will ask participants to discuss the following questions:
What is poverty?
What does poverty mean?
What can we do to reduce poverty?
The participants will be grouped together randomly for the purposes of "dialogue" rather than "debate". Each group will choose 3 major recommendations to share with the larger group.

In this document, we suggest a number of points to raise in your discussions. The following themes are addressed:
1.inclusive analysis,
2.pay equity,
3.minimum income (raising the minimum wage and social assistance benefits),
4.child care services,
5.the role of community organizations and the government,
6.the progressive tax system.


1. INCLUSIVE ANALYSIS
The reality of women's lives is different from that of men. To achieve true equality, we must consider those differences. More women than men live in poverty. Their average income is lower. Their needs are not the same. Similarly, the needs of Aboriginal people, visible minorities, and immigrant women and men are not always the same as those of the majority.

The government needs to adopt an inclusive analysis. It needs to evaluate the repercussions of policies, budgets, existing and proposed programs n women and on men, as gendered and as diverse groups

The objective of this analysis is to eliminate sources and symptoms of inequality between men and women.

Recommendation:
To adopt an inclusive analysis of the socio-economic situation and any policy proposed.



2. PAY EQUITY

In 2008, women in New Brunswick earned 85.9% of the hourly salary of men: $16.46 per hour compared to $19.16. Several factors contribute to the wage gap. Certainly, one of the significant factors is salary inequities.

An estimated 70% of New Brunswick women in the workforce work in jobs traditionally held by women or in which a majority of workers are women. Women make up the vast majority of health care workers, early childhood education workers and elderly workers. Offices and retail settings are other places where women traditionally work.

Unfortunately, a number of jobs generally held by women are underpaid compared to jobs of comparable value held by their male counterparts. This contributes to the wage gap between women and men in New Brunswick.

Pay equity would correct part of the gap in hourly salaries between men and women, would make it possible for numerous women to be freed from poverty, would increase women's tax contributions and would lead to a modernization of pay systems and practices among employers in the province.

The government announced that it will adopt a Pay Equity Act for the public sector, but many people are employeed in the private sector, and they are equally in need of pay equity legislation.

Recommendation:
To adopt a Pay Equity Act covering both the public and private sectors.



3. INCOME

In 2000, in New Brunswick, 82,850 women and 57,550 men aged 15 years or more were in categories in which the salary and benefits ranged from $2000 to $15,000 a year. This means a total of 38% of New Brunswickers lived below the poverty line.

New Brunswick has the lowest minimum wage of any province in Canada. Social assistance benefits are minimal. Having such low incomes makes it nearly impossible to have access to quality education, health services and child care, or to contribute to the province's economy, well-being and vitality. Moreover, such a large low-income population means additional short-term and long-term costs to the province.

Recommendations:
To adopt a minimum wage of $10. an hour by 2010, and to index it to the cost of living thereafter.
To increase social assistance benefits to reach the average rate of the other three Atlantic provinces.


4. CHILD CARE SERVICES

It is difficult to find affordable, high-quality child care services in New Brunswick. Young families would be much more likely to be employed in stable, well-paying jobs and to contribute to the economy if such services were available. The need for a good child care system is even more desperate for single-parent families. According to Statistics Canada in 2006, 29,150 women and 5,435 men in New Brunswick were heads of a single-family household. Another problem is the low salaries that continue to be paid to child care workers.

Incentives offered to companies that establish workplace child care services are not having any noticeable effect.

Recommendations :
That the government develop an early education and child care program that is comprehensive, accessible, and affordable
That it offer adequate and stable funding for this system, with measures of accountability included
That it offer child care workers wages and working conditions that correspond to their training and the value of the work they perform



5. ROLE OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT

The establishment of and management of programs and services to eliminate poverty are the government's responsibility.

The government has the means to ensure the universality, quality and confidentiality of services and programs it offers, and to obtain the necessary revenue to do so. Furthermore, the government is accountable to the people of the province.

Community organizations are there to help with temporary problems or offer additional services to complement those of the government. They should not and they cannot play the role that belongs to the government.

In addition, the government should not try to save money by downloading the management and delivery of these services to the community or the private sector. The proportion of women working in community organizations is high, and their salaries are much lower than in the public sector.

The history of literacy training in the province is a good example. Literacy teachers earned between $17.50 and $22.50 per hour when they were employed by community colleges. When literacy training was transferred to the community sector, in 1994, salaries plummeted, sometimes to less than $14.00 an hour.

Recommendations:
That the government continue to be responsible for the management and delivery of social programs.
That the government ensure adequate funding for social programs and services.
That the government provide adequate funding to community organizations, along with an obligation to offer fair and adequate compensation to their staff members.



6. PROGRESSIVE TAX SYSTEM

The government intends to adopt an flat rate of income tax, in order to reduce the taxes paid by large and medium-sized businesses as well as individuals who are better-off than the average New Brunswicker. This will have a significant impact on the government's ability to develop social policies and offer high-quality programs and services.

Since the bulk of the tax burden will fall on the shoulders of people earning less than $35,000 a year, women will also be more disadvantaged than men, especially in a context in which pay equity is not yet respected.

Last but not least, the gap between the salaries of the wealthiest and poorest citizens in our province is constantly widening. A tax system that imposes a flat rate of income tax can only increase this gap.

Recommendation:
To maintain a progress tax system for businesses as well as individuals, in order to offer women and men in New Brunswick high-quality, universal services in areas such as education, health, early childhood education and child care, a liveable income for all, and employment.

International Women’s Day at a Champagne Brunch on Sunday, March 8th 2009, Noon.

International Women’s Day

You are invited to celebrate International Women’s Day at a Champagne Brunch on Sunday, March 8th 2009.

Location: Crystal Palace, Ramada Plaza, Dieppe
When: Noon (doors open at 11h30)
Tickets: $25*
To purchase tickets: karen.geldart@avide.ca 852-9069, 875-3262



Special Guest: Dr. Jaswinder Bhalla

Join us to listen to the inspiring story of Dr. Jaswinder Bhalla’s journey and struggles to move her obstetrician/gynaecologist practice from India to Canada. Her courageous story has motivated and encouraged many others to follow their dreams.

Phenomenal Women’s Recognition Award
Sponsored by: Business Development

Bank of Canada

Presented by: NB Association of CBDCs

Entertainment:

- African Children’s Choir will be performing

- Stephanie Mainville, singer


*All proceeds from this event will go towards the BPW Bursary Fund, for training and to assist new immigrants to the area.



Journée internationale de la femme
Vous êtes invité à célébrer la Journée internationale de la femme à un brunch champagne le dimanche 8 mars, 2009

Endroit : Ramada Plaza, Dieppe
Quand : midi (portes ouvrent à 11h30)
Billet : 25$*
Achat de billet: karen.geldart@avide.ca l 852-9069 l 875-3262


Invitée spéciale : Dre Jaswinder Bhalla

Venez écouter l’histoire inspirante de Dre Jaswinder Bhalla. Elle racontera le cheminement qu’elle a dû faire pour déplacer son cabinet d’obstétrique/gynécologie de l’Inde au Canada et comment elle surmonta les obstacles rencontrés. Son histoire de courage a déjà motivé et encouragé beaucoup d’autres à poursuivre leur rêves.

Prix de Reconnaissance ‘Femme Phénoménale’

Commandité par: Banque de développement du Canada

Presenté par: L’Association des CBDC du N.-B.

Divertissement
- La musique de l’African Children’s Choir

- Stephanie Mainville, chanteuse

*Les recettes de cet évènement serviront à contribuer au fonds de la bourse BPW, à fournir de la formation et à aider les nouveaux arrivants de notre région.