FEWO Committee Report

Supplementary Opinion New Democratic Party of Canada

We are happy that the Standing Committee on the Status of Women was able to dedicate time to give voice to issues that are impacting women in rural Canada. We also would like to thank the witnesses for participating in this study, and to the Library of Parliament analysts for putting together an excellent report.

One regret we wish to voice is the lack of witnesses from indigenous organizations and indigenous voices. Many indigenous communities are in rural and remote regions in Canada and as noted in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls they have unique experiences, issues and demands that need to be heard. In future, the Standing Committee on the Status of Women must do more to ensure voices from marginalized communities are heard.

The Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls must not sit on a shelf. Years after the report has been published, we still haven’t seen substantive movement from this Liberal Government. Recently, the Native Women’s Association stated they have lost confidence in the Liberal government to put families before politics. The Liberal government act and establish a National Action Plan on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The New Democratic Party puts forward the forward the following recommendation:

Recommendation 1 - That the Government of Canada work with Indigenous peoples to co-develop a National Action Plan for Reconciliation, drawing directly from the Calls to Action and the Declaration to ensure that Canada’s laws, policies, and practices are consistent with Canada’s human rights commitments – including cultural rights, land rights, and rights to self-determination and self-government.

Recommendation 2 -That the the Government of Canada in partnership with Indigenous women, the families of the missing and murdered, and indigenous communities, implement the Inquiry’s Calls for Justice. This includes establishing a comprehensive, plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQI2S+ people — ensuring that all those fleeing violence have access to culturally appropriate programming, emergency shelters, and transitional housing.

Recommendation 3 - That the Government of Canada through legislation establish a National Council for Reconciliation to provide oversight and accountability for this process, reporting regularly to Parliament and Canadians.

Through this study and many others at this committee we have heard the need for core funding for women’s organizations, especially those helping women fleeing violence. Operational based funding is necessary for any organization to be able to shift to an emergency situation. During the Harper government – a great deal of funding to core institutions was cut and any funding provided was made available only under specific project-based funding. Under the subsequent Liberal government some funding has been returned, but not to the levels required and only through that same project-based funding model.

This has left organizations scrambling, unable to move money to where they need it during a crisis. They can’t plan what they know their community needs – they must adhere to what projects have been put forward by governments.

New Democrat’s vision is for women’s organizations to have stable funding so that women can access the support and advocacy they need, when they need it.

Recommendation 4- That the Government of Canada re-establish and expand core operational funding for women’s rights organizations, including those who provide housing and supports for women fleeing violence in all areas, but specifically in rural and remote areas.

Women in rural communities have different challenges than those living in urban settings. From what is known, they have fewer services, can suffer from isolation and face a tougher time getting employment.  The bedrock of most small communities, the Post Office has, for decades, served a vital function of communication and interaction. Before the era of the internet especially, people relied on the Post for letters and packages from loved ones, business associates, and service providers. Our current reality has changed a little for most postal users in the digital age, but not for all, and less so in rural areas.

Beyond it’s historic role as being an employer for women, the Post Office could also act as a community hub. In areas where broadband is patchy, rudimentary or expensive, such a hub could provide internet services. In addition, were banking services provided at the Post Office, this would be of assistance to many women living in rural, remote or reservation locales. It is well known that for some small communities, their members have to drive long distances to even access a bank. Postal banking, utilizing the broad infrastructure of the Post Office, that is, literally thousands of brick‑and‑mortar buildings across Canada, could be there for citizens of small rural communities, and especially women.

Additionally, Canada Post can help to rural women by having door-to-door mail carriers or rural and suburban mail carriers checking in on seniors and people with mobility issues, keeping more people in their own homes for longer. Giving rural women the ability to safely stay in their homes for longer will provide better quality of life for them and put their family members’ minds at ease.

Recommendation 5- That the Government expand the mandate of Canada Post to re-establish Postal Banking.

Recommendation 6- That the Government of Canada review and implement the recommendations put forward by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers outlined in their document, “Delivering Community Power”, and expand services including but not limited to using post offices as community hubs and establishing senior check-ins.

In May, Greyhound announced that it was ceasing operations in Canada and ending all service on its remaining routes within Canada. This move leaves Canadians living in rural regions without the ability to travel to larger centres. And without inter-city bus transportation, people may have no choice but to use methods with higher emissions that have a worse impact on climate change.

Greyhound ceasing operations has devastated people in many rural communities. Inter-city transport is vital to connect rural Canadians with services, job opportunities and education. Not replacing this service and expanding it will make it harder for people to access the services and opportunities they need. The Liberal government has a responsibility to help people affected by this decision.

The loss of affordable and safe passenger transportation will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and marginalized people living in rural Canada, including Indigenous people and seniors.

Recommendation 7- That the Government of Canada develop a public inter-city bus system to be provided through the creation of a new crown corporation or an expansion of the mandate of Via Rail to include public bus transportation, including mandating a move towards electric and low emission vehicles.

Recommendation  8- That the Government of Canada immediately develop a national passenger transportation strategy aimed at expanding bus service across rural and remote regions as well as re-establishing rural bus routes abandoned by Greyhound.