by Bob Nault MP
Week of October 16, 2017
KENORA – POLITICS – Equality is a core Canadian value. Our country can only achieve its full potential when all Canadians have access to the same opportunities. With October being Women’s History Month, it’s important we stop and consider if our core values are being upheld.
When we talk about the economic empowerment of women, it’s important to prioritize two things: choice and support. Ensuring women have the agency to make decisions about their economic futures and the need to support them fully in those decisions.
Just last week I sat down with the newly elected all-female chief and council of Obashkaandagaang First Nation (Washagamis Bay), a first for the community. They are one of only a handful of all-female chief and councils across Canada. It’s an encouraging sign to see more and more women being elected to council in First Nation communities throughout the riding.
This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is Claim Your Place. It’s a call to action reminding us we must ensure girls and women are not afraid to walk alone in our streets at night, to ensure they have the same opportunity as men and boys to thrive in the field of their choice and to be leaders.
The Status of Women Ministry has opened calls for proposals that will award funding to organizations for projects which address institutional barriers to women’s economic success. Organizations can visit women.gc.ca to learn more about submitting an application for funding, as well as the relevant application deadlines.
There is still more work to be done when it comes to making gender equality a reality. Canada is about opportunity and equality for all genders, ethnicities, and ideologies. As the father of a daughter starting out on her journey into the workforce, protecting our rights and freedoms is of utmost importance, and we must all work together to make our country and our riding inclusive and prosperous.
