Women, do you know about Bill C10?

Bill C-10 has been presented in Parliament and is due up for a second reading shortly. What does that mean to women? If this Bill goes through a second reading and is accepted by the house this makes the process of Pay Equity even more difficult of a process to go through and leaves women to take this on with out the benefit of guidance from the Human Rights Commission or from their Unions. We (all Canadian Citizens) must take action today as the rumour is that the Conservative Government is pushing to have this bill read as early as Tuesday, February 24, 2009.

On average women are still making 70% less than men for the same work. The gap increases for racially visible and aboriginal women. Now Harper and his Conservative Government are trying to make it near impossible for a woman to file a pay equity complaint. The government is trying to push this bill through that will ultimately force the woman who is already taking on the huge task of fighting for her human right as a Canadian citizen to now do it on her own. If Bill C-10 passes Stephen Harper and his Conservative Government will have succeeded in having this Human Right taken away from the Human Rights Commission as well as the various Unions who assist women with this fight; and move it to be used as a bargaining chip when negotiating contracts.

Which brings the question to my mind, what forum now will non-unionized women have when trying to fight for pay equity? The process of filing a Pay Equity Complaint is already a difficult and stressful fight; now imagine having to fight it on your own.

What you can do to take action? Contact your Member of Parliament as soon as possible; especially the Liberal MP’s who have been directed by their leader that they can all vote how they want to on Harper’s Agenda, however the “Liberal Party” has said they will support Harpers Budget. Find out who your MP is at http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca call them, send them an e-mail or a fax. Ask them to vote against Bill C-10. Ask them to stand up for Human Rights / Woman’s Rights, to stand up for your future or the future of your daughters.

It’s time to stop Harper’s Hidden Agendas. Pay attention to what he is trying to do, today he is trying to push the women’s movement back 30 yrs, tomorrow it may be employment insurance or Canadians Pensions… wait that sounds familiar, has he already tried to do something with that?

Your Member of Parliament was elected by you to represent you and bring your voice to Parliament. Remind them of this and ask them to vote against Bill C-10. To stop this attack on a woman’s right to equal pay for equal work.