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NEWSBYTES - NOV. 7, 2008
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The Advisory Council on the Status of Women is the provincial government agency that promotes equality, fairness and dignity for women, by bringing forward concerns and advising the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Act. Through research, policy, education, and partnerships, the council works to ensure women have an equal voice in society, fair pay and pensions, freedom from violence, and good health and well-being.
Newsbytes is a free bi-weekly e-mail newsletter with links to stories and contacts.
You can also read the newsletter and about coming events at the Advisory Council's website: <http://www.women.gov.ns.ca>.
Also, visit our online catalogue at http://women.gov.ns.ca/library.asp or come visit our library!
CONTENTS AT A GLANCE
/1/ Nova Scotia Campaign School for Women
/2/ 19th Annual Successful Canadian Women’s Dinner
/3/ New Minister of State for Status of Women
/4/ Persons Case Awards Announced by Status of Women Canada
/5/ Breast Screening Goes Province Wide
/6/ Provide Feedback on Gender, Sex and Health Research
/7/ Caregiver Connect
/8/ Workshops on FLIPAW and Safely on Your Way
/9/ Gambling Affecting Your Lifestyle?
/10/ Did You Know?
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/1/ NOVA SCOTIA CAMPAIGN SCHOOL FOR WOMEN
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Ready to run – that’s what seasoned politicians at the Nova Scotia Campaign School for Women said about many of the participants.
Twenty-five women attended the school held October 24 to 26 at Mount Saint Vincent University, and for the first time, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) from across Canada were experts and critics to participants. They shared their passion and knowledge for politics and they coached and networked. The weekend was an inspiration to everyone involved.
Council and Democracy 250 provided funding for the school. Mount Saint Vincent University provided the terrific venue and conference services. The following people made the 2008 campaign school a great experience: the Honourable Carolyn Bolivar-Getson; Louise Carbert; Vi Carmichael; Sheryl Grant; Pamela Harrison; Christina Lamey; Christine McCulloch; Michelle McKinnon; Shirley McNamara; Lorelei Nicoll; David Rodenheiser; Lori Turnbull; and Lucas Wide.
A big “thank you” to all these engaged, active citizens! And thank you to our partner, Mount Saint Vincent University!
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/2/ 19TH ANNUAL SUCCESSFUL CANADIAN WOMEN’S DINNER
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Council congratulates Dr. Roberta Jamieson, new member of the Order of Canada. The celebratory dinner and fundraiser took place Oct. 30 at Pier 21. Adsum for Women & Children hosted the event – its biggest fundraiser of the year.
Dr. Jamieson is a recipient of the prestigious Harmony Award, recognition of her significant contribution towards eliminating racial and social barriers in Canada. She is a Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory where she has resided throughout her life. She is known in Canada and internationally as a leader, a visionary and a skilled mediator.
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/3/ NEW MINISTER OF STATE FOR STATUS OF WOMEN
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First elected to the House of Commons in 2004, re-elected in 2006, and 2008, Helena Guergis takes on the role of Minister of State for the Status of Women. She served on the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in the previous parliament.
Before being elected, Ms. Guergis owned a small business. She has volunteered with the Barrie Rape Crisis Centre, has contributed to fundraising efforts for a food bank, and been a literacy tutor for seniors. Source: SWC, http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/about/minister/index_e.html
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/4/ PERSONS CASE AWARDS ANNOUNCED BY STATUS OF WOMEN CANADA
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Five women were honoured for life-long service to women’s equality:
• Shelagh Day, of Vancouver, British Columbia, is an international authority on women's human rights and the founding President of LEAF (Women's Legal Education and Action Fund).
• Frances Ennis, of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, is a social activist, educator, author and rug-hooking artist who has devoted her life to advancing equality for women.
• Beverley Jacobs, of Ohsweken, Ontario, is an inspired leader and devoted advocate for equal opportunity and human rights for Aboriginal women and girls.
• Maureen A. McTeer, of Ottawa, Ontario, is a lawyer, author and expert on issues of women's rights and health and those of law, science and public policy.
• Mair Verthuy, of Montréal, Quebec, is a researcher, activist and distinguished academic who co-founded Concordia University's Simone de Beauvoir Institute, home of Canada's first women's studies program.
The recipient of the youth award this year is Ben Barry, an entrepreneurial young man who operates a modeling agency in Ottawa and writes about new versions of beauty.
Click the news release above for further information: http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/newsroom/news2008/1104_e.html
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/5/ BREAST SCREENING GOES PROVINCE WIDE
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Women can now call one toll-free number 1-800-565-0548 or 473-3960 in Halifax Regional Municipality to make mammogram appointments. All breast screening services in the province are now under one umbrella, meaning that Nova Scotia women will have access to co-ordinated and consistent cancer diagnoses and followup anywhere in the province.
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/6/ PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON GENDER, SEX AND HEALTH RESEARCH
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CIHR's Institute of Gender and Health (IGH) is consulting with stakeholders to explore how the institute should focus its energy and resources over the next four years. IGH welcomes and encourages written input from individuals or groups with an interest in gender, sex and health research. http://www.cwhn.ca/hot/call/default.html#igh .
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/7/ WORKSHOPS ON FLIPAW AND SAFELY ON YOUR WAY
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These workshops will introduce the Family Law Information Project (FLIPAW) and Safely on Your Way, a new resource for women with children who are leaving an abusive relationship. The guide contains legal information for women in the post-separation stage, as they move through the family law process to settle custody and access issues.
The workshops are being hosted by women's centres, with guests from victim services, transition houses, family resource centres, police, mental health services, child protection services, public prosecution, early intervention/childcare workers, legal aid and private lawyers. Contact the women’s centres to book a spot. Contact flipaw@legalinfo.org for more information.
• Antigonish, Monday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to noon, at Antigonish Women's Resource Centre
• New Glasgow, Monday, Nov. 17, 2 to 4 p.m., at Pictou County Women's Centre
• Sheet Harbour, Thursday, Nov. 20, 1 to 3 p.m., at LEA Place Women's Centre
• Truro, Friday, Nov. 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Central Nova Women's Resource Centre
• Lunenburg, Monday., Nov 24, 10 to 12 a.m., Second Story Women's Centre
• Yarmouth, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 10:30 to 12:30 p.m., at Tri-County Women's Centre
• Cornwallis, Thursday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at The Women's Place Women's Centre
• Sydney, Monday, Dec. 1, 10 to noon , at Every Woman's Place Women's Centre
• Kentville, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. , at Chrysalis House Transition House
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/8/ CAREGIVER CONNECT
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VON Canada (Victorian Order of Nurses) launched a new tool for Canada’s nearly three million caregivers: “Caregiver Connect, from Caring to Sharing/De l’entraide au partage, aidants en réseau.” This innovative bilingual web portal will provide access to information and resources that caregivers need to care for themselves, to provide better quality care to their family members and/or friends, and to connect and share with other caregivers through a virtual discussion forum. http://www.caregiver-connect.ca/en-us/Pages/Home.aspx .
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/9/ GAMBLING AFFECTING YOUR LIFESTYLE?
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If you or someone you love is involved in behaviors of gambling that are adversely affecting your lifestyle and environment, contact the Elizabeth Fry Society, to learn about a program for women. It includes one-on-one support, peer support, information and resources. Contact the program coordinator at 454-5041 ext.24 or e-mail: mjmilley@efrynovascotia.com . All inquiries are confidential.
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/10/ DID YOU KNOW...?
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• Even though household incomes are rising, debt has risen seven times faster since 1990 to an average total debt of more than $80,000 per household and is now equal to a record 131 per cent of household incomes.
• A record 32 per cent of workers aged 55+ continue to work.
• Spurred by geographic labour shortages, hourly wage gains have now outpaced price increases for the second year in a row.
• Real net worth increased by 18 per cent since 2000 due mostly to the strength of the real estate market.
• About 200,000 more Canadians are poor now than in 1990 – up to 3.4 million.
Source: Vanier Institute, Highlights from “The Current State of Canadian Family Finances Series” published in February 2008.
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NEXT ISSUE – NOV. 21, 2008
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