Speak out

Today, women with a university degree make only 71 per cent of what men with a university degree make.

Today, women entrepreneurs don’t qualify for maternity benefits.

Today, widows have pensions that leave them in poverty because they stayed home to care for their children instead of working outside of the home.

These are only several of many instances that show clearly that women have not achieved economic and social equality. This has prompted the United Nations to acknowledge the need to eliminate discrimination against women and Canada agreed to do this.

Last year Stephen Harper stated that if he was elected he would uphold Canada’s commitment to the United Nations. Yet it is his government that is cutting the Status of Women Canada funding by 40 per cent forcing the closure of 12 of 16 regional offices including the one that services Nova Scotia.

I urge you to speak out against this action. Please contact your member of parliament, Status of Women Minister Bev Oda or Prime Minister Stephan Harper and voice your opinion.



Shelley L. Goodwin

Council member

NS Advisory Council on the Status of Women