Appendix 1 - Public Consultations
Federal, provincial and territorial governments routinely consult members of the public on policies and initiatives that relate to the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The following are examples of consultations conducted during the period of the present report. This list is not exhaustive.
| Policy/initiative/issue | Date | Nature of consultations |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Canada | ||
| Review of the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP) | January 2005 | A two-day National Roundtable gave stakeholders and NGOs a forum to express opinions, share concerns and discuss options to improve the LCP. |
| Immigration issues | March 2006 | A two-day national roundtable on the humanitarian and compassionate policy was organized, as part of a wider policy review. Participants included NGOs, counsel groups, academia and provincial government representatives. Gender-based analysis considerations were included within the consultative process. |
| Refugee – Resettlement | May 2004 – May 2006 | Consultations/meetings with various NGOs and stakeholders on:
|
| Safe Third Country Agreement | 2004-2006 | Numerous consultations with NGOs prior to and post implementation of the Agreement, including Amnesty International and the Canadian Council for Refugees |
| Peacebuilding and human security | Since 1997 | Annual consultations with NGOs and academics to discuss current and emerging issues. All sessions have either included a specific session on gender equality or ensured that gender was mainstreamed throughout the presentations and discussions, for example, discussions of “ Gender, Peace and Security" in May 2006. |
| International engagement in human rights | Annually | Designed to inform Canadian policy for UN Commission on Human Rights/Human Rights Council, NGOs have opportunity to provide views on key issues, including the elimination of violence against women. |
| Gender equality in Canadian development assistance | October 2005 | Roundtable on Gender Equality convened experts to discuss how the Canadian International Development Agency could best move forward in achieving gender-equality results. Participants included domestic and international NGOs, representatives from international fora. |
| Government of Newfoundland and Labrador | ||
| Poverty Reduction Strategy | June-October 2005 | Twenty-two workshops sessions with organizations that focus on poverty, community-based groups, business and labour were held. Six focus groups were held with individuals living in poverty, including youth at risk, women who have used transition house services, women's center clients, Income Support clients and persons with disabilities. Consultations also included a toll-free phone line and Email address. Groups also provided written submissions. |
| Immigration strategy | October 2005 | Stakeholder consultations were held on the proposed immigration strategy, including one session on women's issues. |
| Social assistance | 2003 | Fifty focus groups and consultations were held with key stakeholders and persons in receipt of Income Support. Consultation resulted in the proclamation of a new Income and Employment Support Act in November 2004. |
| Aboriginal Women's Conference | March 2006 | Conference gave Aboriginal women an opportunity to meet, discuss issues of importance to them and provide the Government with feedback. |
| Violence Prevention Initiative | 2004 and 2006 | A Provincial Forum was held in 2004 and included government representatives, Aboriginal community representatives, advocacy groups, women's organization and other community stakeholders. A series of focus groups and consultations were held in 2006 with key stakeholders of the Initiative. |
| Government of Prince Edward Island | ||
| Status of women issues | November 2004 | Meeting to discuss various issues |
| Electoral reform | 2003-2005 | Consultations through correspondence and public hearings, included a workshop on Women and Electoral Reform. |
| Employment Standards Review | March 2006 | Consultations through correspondence and public hearings |
| Maternity and Parental Benefits | December 2004 | Meeting to discuss issues related to maternity and parental benefits |
| Government of Nova Scotia | ||
| Immigration | 2004-2006 | Two Immigrant Women Roundtables brought women together to discuss issues for immigrants |
| Economic security | October 2005 | Roundtable on Women's Economic Security |
| Disabilities | 2006 | Roundtable for women with disabilities (Status of Women and the Cumberland African Nova Scotian Society) |
| Government of New Brunswick | ||
| Wage gap | 2002-present | Ongoing meetings with stakeholders |
| Violence against women | 2000-present | Ongoing meetings with stakeholders |
| Government of Québec | ||
| Opinion by the Conseil du statut de la femme Vers un nouveau contrat social pour l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes (2004) | January to September 2005 | As a follow-up to the Opinion, which gives a portrait of subsisting inequalities faced by women, consultations were held in Parliamentary Commission. Seventy-five organizations were heard and 107 reports analyzed. One of the major recommendations that can be found in the consultation report pertains to the development of a new governmental policy on the status of women, and of an action plan to ensure its implementation. |
| Sharing a future… Policy Statement on the Status of Women | March 2003 | After 10 years of the policy's implementation, a survey of the evolution of the socio-economic situation of women and men was conducted. Eighty-six non-governmental organizations were consulted. The resulting document, L'avenir des Québécoises : Les suites des consultations de mars 2003, gives a portrait of those inequalities which persist, and of gender-based differences in the way women and men face socio-economic realities |
| Government of Manitoba | ||
| Amendments to the Domestic Violence and Stalking Act | 2003-2004 | Input was saught from a multi-disciplinary working group |
| Gender in health planning issues | 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 | Consultation with Regional Health Authorities on gender in health planning issues. Four events were held in 2003-2004 and five events in 2004-2005. |
| Violence against women | March 2005 | Mother of Red Nations national conference Our Healing in Our Hands. Panel of government officials to hear participants' concerns and issues |
| Amendments to the Employment Standards Code | December 2005-February 2006 | Public consultations on proposed changes to the Code (a gender-based analysis was also part of the review). Over 100 submissions received, both in writing and presented at public meetings held around the province. |
| Health Human Resources | January 31- February 1, 2006 | As part of the Manitoba First Nations Human Resource Regional Framework, two forums on health human resources were held. Aboriginal women make up a large part of the health care field. |
| HIV/AIDS Strategy | Ongoing | Proposed Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy being developed in collaboration with Aboriginal communities |
| Government of Saskatchewan | ||
| Gaps and improvement in employment and income support programs | October 2005 and June 2006 | Two sets of consultations were held in six communities across Saskatchewan, with key community stakeholders including anti-poverty groups, shelters for women, and agencies serving Aboriginal people. |
| Early learning and child care | January 2003 – May 2006 | Targeted consultation and dialogue were held with provincial partners in early learning and child care, particularly as it relates to child care subsidy redesign. Over 40 meetings with provincial and community stakeholders resulted in the establishment of a Minister's Advisory Board on Early Learning and Child Care. |
| Income assistance policy and practice issue resolution | Bi-annual | Face-to-face meetings are held with provincial advocacy agencies. |
| Government of British Columbia | ||
| Victim services | 2006 | A series of roundtable discussions were held with victim service organizations on issues related to program delivery and emerging issues in victimization and recovery. |
| Government of the Northwest Territories | ||
| NWT Family Violence Action Plan | June 2005June 2006September 2006 | Three consultations were held with the Coalition Against Family Violence, which includes representatives from non-governmental organizations and community members with an interest in ending family violence, on the development and implementation of a NWT Family Violence Action Plan. |
| Violence against Aboriginal women | March 2006 | The Department of the Executive co-chaired the policy forum on Aboriginal Women and Violence with the Government of Canada. Aboriginal women from across Canada were supported to attend this two-day consultation, and to provide their input into how government legislation, policy and programs could be more supportive to Aboriginal women dealing with violence in their lives. |
| Government of Yukon | ||
| Decision-Making Support and Protection to Adults Act | 2003-2005 | Consultations were undertaken through various methods: correspondence, survey and meetings |
| Social assistance | 2005-2006 | Consultations, through correspondence, meetings and teleconference, with Yukon First Nations on changes to social assistance |
| Education reform | 2006 | Examination of all aspects of life-long learning which will bring forward changes to the Yukon's education system. |
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