News release

February 23, 2007

Saying Good-Bye Isn't Good Enough!

PSAC Supports the Status of Women Canada fightback in St. John's

OTTAWA — The Public Service Alliance of Canada stands in solidarity with the women from equality-seeking organizations who occupied the St. John's Status of Women Canada (SWC) offices on February 22nd.

The SWC office in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, is one of 12 regional offices that the Harper government is closing, effective April 1st.   Women in St. John's recognize the direct contribution that SWC has made to their communities and to the women of Newfoundland and Labrador over the years.  They aren't satisfied with saying good-bye to their SWC office.

“And they aren't alone”, says John Gordon, PSAC National President.  “Women in British Columbia occupied the SWC office in Vancouver earlier this year.  Women and men from coast to coast to coast have rallied against the cuts to Status of Women Canada since they were announced in late November of 2006.  And unless Harper's government wakes up, admits that equality for women has yet to be achieved, and takes responsibility for making it happen, there will be a lot more to come.”

“It's high time for the the Harper government to get equality back on track,” says Robyn Benson, PSAC Officer responsible for women's issues and Regional Executive Vice-President for the Prairies.  “Women's equality hasn't yet been achieved, and Status of Women Canada is part of the solution, not the problem.  We've called for the ‘new government of Canada' to reverse the decision to cut $5 million from SWC's budget and close 12 out of 16 SWC regional offices.”

While Status of Women Minister Bev Oda has declared that “women are equal”, the PSAC is calling on Oda to get on the road.  According to Gordon, Oda says she is listening to the women of Canada.  “If that's the case, then hold public meetings.  Listen to women in communities across the country where SWC offices are closing.  Hold townhall meetings with women in St. John's, in Vancouver and in communities in between.  Listen up!  Because, for women in St. John's and across Canada, saying goodbye just isn't good enough.”

PSAC is the sixth largest union in Canada, and represents 160,000 workers across the country, including the majority of workers at Status of Women Canada.

For information:
Louise Laporte, PSAC Communications
(613) 560-4287 or (613) 558-4975

09-230207