88.15RE Reiteration 1986 Policy on: Equality
Whereas, The National Council of Women of Canada has advocated equality since its inception;
Whereas, New National Council of Women of Canada policy is required in order that a meaningful response may be made to the report 'Toward Equality'; therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada indicate support of the following policy and that a submission be developed on the new policy as well as on existing policy:
Policy 1 Parental benefits under the Unemployment Insurance Act which apply equally for both natural and adoptive parents.
Policy 2 Inclusion of sexual orientation as a prohibitive ground of discrimination within the Human Rights Act.
Policy 3 That the meaning of the word 'spouse' and 'married person' and similar expressions to include a common law spouse, and the word 'marriage' include a common law relationship, provided that a consistent definition of common law relationships be incorporated in all federal law and policies that recognize such relationships.
Policy 4 All trades and occupations in the Canadian Armed Forces be open to women.
Policy 5 Replacing the Spouse's Allowance under the Old Age Security Act with an equivalent benefit without reference to marital status.
Policy 6 Amend the Immigration Act to state as an objective of Canadian immigration policy, that such policy should ensure that the Act, the Immigration Regulations and immigration guidelines contain standards of admission that do not discriminate in a manner prohibited by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Policy 7 Provision of interpreter services for the hearing impaired be available upon prior request at federal public hearings, including those of parliamentary committees.
Policy 8 That the Canadian Labour Codes and the Federal Public Service Terms and Conditions of Employment Regulations be amended so that there is provision for a determinate number of statutory holidays to be taken by all employees and a number of floating statutory holidays that an employee may elect, upon being employed, in accordance with his or her religious observance requirements or personal beliefs; and that the Minister of Justice refer to the Uniform Law Conference of Canada and to provincial ministers responsible for human rights the consideration of amendments to provincial hours of business and employment standards legislation to provide for days of rest that respect freedom of conscience and religious belief on a constant basis.
Policy 9 That spouses and/or eligible children of public servants and Canadian Armed Forces personnel be entitled to vote, in general elections, in the electoral district where they declare themselves to be ordinarily resident in Canada; and that spouses and dependents of Canadian Armed Forces personnel be afforded the same rights and freedoms under the Canadian Charter of Rights as other Canadian citizens.