Government of Canada announces over $500,000 to support projects to advance gender equality in Montréal
MONTRÉAL, Feb. 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Having the opportunity to participate in democratic and public life is an essential component of women's empowerment and key to achieving gender equality. That is why today, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, Emmanuella Lambropoulos, M.P. for Saint-Laurent, announced Government of Canada support for a project led by Concertation Montréal to advance gender equality in Montréal.
MTElles is a 36-month project which will focus on improving women's civic participation in municipal development initiatives in Montréal. The project's leaders will consult with municipal and community stakeholders, including Montréal's borough roundtables, to develop participative strategies for government engagement that encourage women's civic involvement.
Barriers will be examined and solutions will be identified and piloted to allow stakeholders to address the realities women face in Montréal when engaging in municipal development efforts. Opportunities that offer women residents of all ages and backgrounds the chance to influence urban and local development will be developed and tested. Resulting best practices will be shared across the country.
Three organizations are collaborating on this project. To support their participation, Concertation Montréal is receiving $305,000; Coalition montréalaise des Tables de quartier is receiving $152,000; and Relais-Femmes is receiving $83,000.
Quotes
"We will not achieve gender equality in Canada without women having access to full political and civic participation. When women thrive, we all thrive. Funding community-driven projects like MTElles will remove persistent barriers that prevent women from fully engaging, and will help to nurture women in Montréal to lead in this important aspect of Canadian life."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women
"MTElles will create an environment conducive to listening to women and to discussions between local democratic institutions and neighbourhood round tables. This project will identify the barriers which still hinder the significant involvement of Montréal women in their community. It will also help with developing tools which will take into account the socioeconomic and culturally diverse backgrounds of women and which will encourage their full participation in local issues."
Emmanuella Lambropoulos, M.P.
Saint-Laurent
"We are delighted by this opportunity to collaborate with the Government of Canada in exploring innovative ways to expand women's participation in municipal government. The condition of women and the power of our community will improve thanks to this important project."
Richard Deschamps, Interim Chair
Concertation Montréal
"We must make sure that women's opinions are heard when important decisions affecting their lives are taken at the municipal level here in Montréal. That is why the federal government's support for this project is so important, and why we are delighted at the thought of collaborating with it."
France Émond, Chair
Coalition montréalaise des Tables de quartier
"By making inclusive decisions, authorities engaging in municipal consultation have the power to improve our community. That's why we're pleased to collaborate with the federal government on this project, as it will ensure women's participation in municipal development and in decisions taken in our community."
Lise Gervais, Development and Liaison Coordinator
Relais-Femmes
Quick Facts
- Status of Women Canada works to address systemic barriers to the full participation of women in all aspects of Canadian life with a focus on three priorities: increasing women's economic security and prosperity; encouraging women in leadership and decision-making roles; and ending violence against women and girls.
- In the 2015 federal election, 88 women were elected as Members of Parliament, increasing the representation of women to 26%, a record.
- In the 2014 provincial election, 34 women were elected to the National Assembly of Québec, representing 27.2% of those elected.
- In 2017, Montréal elected its first ever woman mayor, Valérie Plante, and seven out of 18 elected borough mayors are women.
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SOURCE Status of Women Canada
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