Check out this new initiative. I like what they have to say.  Though I think they could have emphasized more aspects of women's inequalities, especially concerning race, class, disability and sexual orientation.  AND the fact that violence against women is still a major problem in this country.  I'm a well-off white woman and I'll tell you, there are lots of days where I don't feel all that equal in this society, so Stephen Harper is full of shit. 

THE WOMEN ARE ANGRY

*Who are we?*
We are a group of women in Halifax who are angry about the Harper government's anti-women mandate. We are pleased to be joining the 'wave of campaigns' that have responded to this government's recent funding cuts. Through this campaign, we are reaching out across Canada to women (and those who love them) to join our fight for equality (which Harper has mistakenly declared over).

*Why are we angry?*
On September 25, 2006, Stephen Harper's government announced a $5 Million dollar (40%) cut to the budget of Status of Women Canada. This cut, along with $95 Million dollars in other cuts, have destroyed vital programs for women, children and families across this country.

Prime Minister Harper has justified these cuts by suggesting that equality has already been achieved for women in Canada. In the wake of this suggestion, the word "equality" has been removed from the mandate of the Status of Women.

Women in Canada face inequality everyday, the most obvious example of which is the fact that in 2005, Statistics Canada reported that women still earn just 71 cents  for every dollar earned by men. Women deserve EQUALITY, which includes an equal share in the wealth we have created
through both our paid and unpaid work.

Of course, there are other reasons to be angry, including the fact that:

Although we live in a country that takes pride in a strong network of publicly funded social programs we still lack a QUALITY, UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE PROGRAM. Mr. Harper's 'plan' does not support the cost of child care and does not reflect the value of the contribution made by parents in this country. Accessing quality affordable child care has always been a barrier for women to maintaining meaningful employment.  This will continue to be the case until we have a government willing to address the need for a national child care program.

The COURT CHALLENGES PROGRAM HAS BEEN ELIMINATED.  Like SWC this program provided a means of leveling the playing field.  It meant that you did not have to have power and money in order to stand up on issues that you thought were important.  This program has allowed many groups that have experienced discrimination to challenge laws they thought to be unjust.  Eliminating this program eliminates another of the few venues women have for voicing their concerns at a Federal level.

*What to you do if you're angry too...*

Be a part of /The Women Are Angry/ campaign! Wear a button, send a postcard, include our logo and/or link on your website, print our ad in your publication. PLEASE visit our website for all the details.

We also want to hear from you! Why are you angry? Tell us your story and we'll add it to the website where we'll collect stories from angry women across Canada! E-mail us

We want this campaign to be 'owned' by ALL CANADIAN WOMEN. For this reason, /The Women Are Angry/ campaign is anonymous.

Comments

[radmama]

This is interesting and I will likely take part in some form.

But what do we think about income splitting? This is a positive [potential] tax change for many families. I'm curious as to what other women thing about the proposal.

[Meredith]

I'm in!! Thanks for the great post!!

[Amanda]

Wow. This guy sounds a lot like Bush.

[minnie]

i don't live in canada, but i have several canadian friends. i'll pass this on to them

[Leslie]

Those interested in some of income-splitting's potential effects on women might wish to read the following:
http://qnc.queensu.ca/story_loader.php?id=45648d153a937