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Media AdvisoryNovember 15, 2007 Women get political at national conferenceOTTAWA – Women members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) from across Canada are meeting in Toronto from November 23 to 25 to strategize and hone their political skills. The setting is the union's triennial national women's conference where several hundred delegates will attend workshops and debate resolutions under the theme Public Services…Pave the way to equality. Recent federal government policies and cutbacks have had a negative impact on women's equality and human rights. PSAC women are working to build the union's political capacity and to develop action plans to defend and advance equality rights. A keynote panel discussion on the state of women's equality will feature three activist women who are no strangers to the continuing struggle for women's rights. Michèle Asselin, the President of the Fédération des femmes du Québec (FFQ), was instrumental in the recent development of a Protocol of Solidarity between the FFQ and the Femmes autochtones du Québec. Andrée Côté, recipient of the Quebec Bar Association's Christine Tourigny Award for the advancement of women in the profession, was the Director of Legislation for the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) for seven years. NAWL was forced to close their offices this year as a result of a Conservative government decision to put an end to the funding of women's advocacy work. Paulette Senior, CEO of YWCA Canada, has spent years on the frontlines of social and community work in some of Toronto's most disadvantaged neighbourhoods and has become widely recognized as one of the most respected and vocal women leaders in the country. PSAC National President John Gordon and Canadian Labour Congress Executive Vice-President Barb Byers will also be addressing the conference. When: Where: For information and interviews: 34-151107 |
