Making History, Building Futures: Women of the 21 st Century

1. Making History, Building Futures: Women of the 21st Century Presentation to the South Asia Regional Forum on Women and Local Governance Presented by: Joan Lougheed July 2004

4. Burlington

7. About Burlington • Population – 159,400 • Projected Population by 2016 – 184,500 • Private Residences – 61,110 • Labour Force – 85,305 • Average Family Income - $76,881 CDN • Average New Home Cost - $331,369 CDN • Annual Property Taxes - $2,729 CDN • $1.00 = 90 Takas

12. My Background • Registered nurse • Entrepreneur • Elected official since • 1991

13. The FCM Connection • Currently a board member • Chair of the Municipal Infrastructure Committee • Chair of the Women’s Committee • Governing Council for National Guide for Municipal Best Practices

14. No $$$ Infrequent inspection and maintenance Inconsistent management Substandard design or installation Challenges facing Canada’s infrastructure

15. The solution to the problem • Solution is not simply money • Changes are necessary to how we plan, design and manage infrastructure

16. www.infraguideca

17. FCM – What it is and who it represents • Mission : • The Federation of Canadian Municipalities • (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal • Government since 1901. FCM is dedicated to • improving the quality of life in all communities • by promoting strong, effective and accountable • municipal government. • Today FCM represents 1,000 municipalities

18. The Logo The maple tree with well-developed roots and a network of veins symbolizes the position of importance of municipal government to Canada’s national fabric.

19. History of FCM • Began as the Union of Canadian Municipalities, UCM • UCM was formed to advocate for and on behalf of municipalities with utility companies • Today FCM’s advocacy role includes advocating the federal government on policy and national decision-making

20. Race Relations International Programs Economic Development National Transportation Municipal Infrastructure Environment Future Role of Municipal Government Municipal Aboriginal Relations Municipal Finance Social Infrastructure Community Safety and Crime Prevention FCM Committees Today

21. The Women’s Committee – 5 Years of Progress • Informal gathering of volunteer FCM Board members • Taskforce • Committee with formal recognitions and reporting privileges to the FCM Board

22. What we have accomplished… • AGM - Forum on women’s issues • Committee with standing but NOT a standing committee • Mentoring • Annual Scholarship • Campaign School

23. Strategic Planning Taskforce of FCM Women’s Committee for the Status of Women Project

25. Making History, Building Futures: Women of the 21st Century • Status of Women Project – to identify barriers to women being involved in municipal decision-making processes • A partnership between the Status of Women • Canada and municipalities across the country

26. Purpose of the project • To evaluate the decision-making environment and its impact on women

27. Desired outcomes • Increase the participation of women in the decision-making process • Increase the number of women in elected office • Establish national and local partnerships

28. Research methodology • One to one interviews of 400 men and women from across the country • Surveys • Community based women’s organizations in six municipalities from across the country representing: • Large and small urban centres • Rural and remote communities

29. Iqualuit Saskatoon Cowichan Valley Thunder Bay Montreal

30. 1947 • - Canadian women who married non • Canadians, no longer lost their citizenship • 1951 • - Charlotte Whitton was elected Mayor • of the City of Ottawa, the first woman mayor • of a large Canadian city

31. 1952 • - Ontario puts equal pay legislation into effect • Women are still fighting for this right in the workplace • 1954 • - Women’s Bureau of the Federal Department Of Labour is created

32. 1916 – Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan 1917 – British Columbia, Ontario 1918 – Nova Scotia 1919 – New Brunswick 1922 – Prince Edward Island 1925 – Newfoundland for women aged 25 or over 1940 – Quebec Women’s right to vote in Canada 1960 – Aboriginal native women receive right to vote

33. Barriers to women’s participation • Municipalities and women’s networks do not have established working relationships. • Municipalities do not reach out to involve women in the consultation process. • Lack of practical supports for women i.e. • childcare, transportation

34. Barriers continued… • 4. Not enough information is available to women about municipal services. • 5. Lack of support from the municipality for more inclusive policies and practices.

35. Summary of research findings • Canada is losing ground with countries around the world • - Only 21.7% of elected positions are held by women • -Worldwide, Canada ranks 37th of 181 countries

36. 1. Women who are marginalized because of race,poverty, immigration status face more serious systemic barriers & often do not vote. • 2. Women are actively involved in their communities, but may have given up

37. 3. Municipalities, men and women and women’s groups agree there are benefits when women participate fully. • 4. Policies and practices for gender mainstreaming and inclusive participation are not commonly used in Canadian municipalities.

38. 5. Leadership development and mentoring are needed to enhance participation. • 6. Municipalities and women’s organizations need tools, training and resources to increase women’s participation.

39. Recommendations for next steps • Development of a national strategy to increase women’s participation in municipal processes.

40. Bridging the Gender Gap – Areas of Work

41. Next Steps • National Responsibilities • Municipal Responsibilities • Local Citizen Responsibilities

42. Our Future

43. Thank you. Your Questions