Conservative
Cuts Reveal True Colours
By:
Hon. Belinda Stronach, Chair of the Liberal Women’s Caucus
The
Conservative government recently announced a budget surplus of some $13.2
billion for 2005-06. This was, of course, welcome news. It reflected a
legacy of responsible management that put an end to a culture of deficit
that had prevailed for more than a generation. It represented another
impressive example of what we can achieve together as Canadians.
On
the same day this massive surplus was revealed, the Treasury Board
president unveiled a series of government cutbacks totalling some $1
billion – cutbacks that shone a spotlight on the real motivations and
true beliefs of the Prime Minister and his cabinet.
What
have Canadians learned about this government? On the very same day that it
announced a windfall of billions upon billions, this government celebrated
by turning its back on women, turning its back on those who cannot read,
even turning its back on those of modest means who would seek to defend
their rights as guaranteed under our Charter.
On
the same day that the government announced one of the largest financial
surpluses in our nation's history, Parliament and Canadians were witness
to the exercise of cold ideology and the unmasking of this government's
true colours and this Prime Minister's true priorities.
One
of the biggest targets was Status of Women Canada, which has long been
high on the hit list of hardcore social conservatives. Its budget was cut
deeply. Its ability to do its important work has been compromised.
There
will be a price to pay and that price will be paid by individual Canadian
women in communities across our country – women who strive to
escape violence; women who seek nothing more than the opportunity to
participate fully in the economic and cultural bounty of Canada; and women
who work so hard to advance the rights of other women and girls around the
world.
Faced
with the opportunity to redeem themselves in the eyes of women across our
country, the Conservatives instead stood and voted against a Liberal
motion calling on the government to respect Canadian women.
If
it was not clear before, the Conservative perspective on women is clear
now. This government turned its back on Canadian women and slashed funding
to the department charged with helping those who need it most.
Belinda
Stronach is Chair of the Liberal Women’s Caucus.
