Green leader denounces political interference by Harper government in women’s programs

MONTREAL – The failed grant to a women’s program headed by a favoured Conservative and former appointed candidate demonstrates the damage the Harper government has done to support for women’s programs, says the Green Party. The All Women Empowerment and Development Association in Halifax recently fired Rosamond Luke, the organization’s executive director, who was formerly a Conservative candidate in Halifax before being cut loose after a criminal record surfaced.

“The Harper government first cut $5 million in programs run by Status of Women Canada,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “After a public outcry, the money was reinstated, but the program guidelines had been completely changed. Funding to programs that advanced women’s rights through advocacy no longer qualified. Well-respected groups, such as the National Association for Women and the Law, closed their doors. Instead the Harper government only supported work to women whose politics they liked.”

Ms. May also noted that the Harper government had removed the mandate to promote “equality for women” from the mandate of Status of Women Canada. They refused to respect court decisions for pay equity for women. They stopped funding groups organized by women in poverty to work to alleviate their burden through greater advocacy.

"All in all, Mr. Harper's agenda has reversed progress made for women’s rights. In their zeal to only support some kinds of groups, the basic quality control usually exercised in government has been abandoned,” said Ms. May.