December 5, 2007

PSAC National Women Conferences

Photos

Under the theme “Public Services – Pave the Way to Equality!” participants discussed the critical importance of public services for the quality of life in Canada and for the full equality of all in our society. Through plenaries, workshops and concrete political action PSAC members expressed their determination to work to defend public services and challenge the right-wing approach of the Conservative federal government.

The Conference was excited to hear the analysis and strategies presented by the panel of experts from the women’s movement. They set the stage for three days of active discussions. Michèle Asselin, President of the Fédération des femmes du Québec, provided an overview of the struggles of women around the world and reminded us that a better world is possible. She stressed the crucial role women have in building this world.
           
Paulette Senior, CEO of the YWCA Canada talked about the importance of quality childcare in the transformation of her own life and clearly drew the links between the personal and the political. She brought valuable information about the privatization of child care through the introduction of big box child care companies into Canada to the attention of the delegates.

Andrée Côté, former Director of Legislation for the National Association of Women and the Law, drew from the wealth of her legal and political background to present a clear analysis on the challenges facing women with pay equity and the loss of the Court Challenges Program.

National President John Gordon provided an overview of the work the union is engaged in to defend quality public services. His presentation presented a framework for the campaign to defend equality rights at every level.

In workshops on Quality Public Services, Pay Equity, Child Care and Put Equality Back on Track, participants were able to discuss issues in more detail and share their work experiences across the country. They engaged in direct political action, faxing their Members of Parliament directly from the Conference following a rousing presentation by MP Olivia Chow on child care.

During two days of thoughtful, lively debate the delegates to the National Women’s Conference passed twenty-eight resolutions calling for action at all levels to support the work of women activists and to strengthen the union’s work in advancing equality for all members of Canadian society.

Co-chaired by Sisters Robyn Benson and Jeannie Baldwin, the Conference marked an important step forward for PSAC. In their summary of the Conference, they said: “The last three days have been important for our communities inside the PSAC and within the broader social justice movement. Conferences like this one, by gathering activists from all over the country, are helping us define our priorities. The findings that we shared and the resolutions that we adopted are ingredients that we can use to improve our working lives.”

Women were working hard during the “Quality Public Services” workshop.

Marcelle Perron and Michelle Asselin from Fédération des femmes du Québec

Les femmes de l’Union des employés de la Défense nationale

Women from Quebec region

PSAC National President, John Gordon