Report on the Annual Gathering of the Group of Women Parliamentarians
on creating equal opportunities for women rather than producing equal results.
Senator-Fortin Duplessis turned to some of the legal and constitutional tools that have been employed to do this.
First, when the Constitution was amended in 1982, parliament passed an accompanying Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 15 concerns equality rights and Section 28 states that the rights and freedoms in the Charter are guaranteed equally to women and men. Senator Fortin-Duplessis believes that, in many respects, equality or parity between men and women goes beyond the male-female dichotomy. It is more about
human dignity – we should all have the same rights whether we are black or white, Catholic, Muslim or Protestant, married or single. Canadian law governing human rights prohibits any type of discrimination based on religion, gender, ethnic origin, or other grounds.
Second, numerous laws have upheld gender equality. She highlighted two pieces of legislation that go hand-in-hand. One states that employment must be based on ability, and the other concerns compensation in the public sector (equal pay for work of equal value). These laws have been essential for providing women with access to more equitable employment opportunities.
Moreover, Senator Fortin-Duplessis explained that her country has signalled its hopes for equality on the international stage. Canada has ratified many international instruments regarding equal rights, and it has worked with international institutions for many years to advocate for issues of equality. She mentioned in particular CEDAW, the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Millennium Development Goals, and the
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