Speaking Notes for the Honourable Helena Guergis, P.C., M.P. Minister of State (Status of Women) for Announcement of Funding to Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada

Toronto, Ontario
Janurary 22, 2009

Check against delivery

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my special pleasure to be here in Toronto to announce this Government's support for Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada.  It is particularly exciting since 2009 marks the 100th year of the Girl Guide Movement, which had its start in England in 1909.

As Minister of State (Status of Women), I share your abiding belief in the tremendous potential of girls and young women in Canada.  And I know we all believe in the power of women's leadership to shape a better future for all.  I must tell you that it is from my early days as a Girl Guide that I trace my own career path.  As a Girl Guide, I began to develop the self-confidence necessary to pursue a career in politics.

For society to benefit from the contributions of women leaders, now and in the years to come, we must inspire, encourage and challenge girls and young women today.  As a proving ground for future women leaders, Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada has phrased it beautifully:  "Girl Greatness Starts Here!"

I heartily agree and the evidence is out there in communities across Canada, where the Guiding movement is having a profound and positive impact on girls and young women.  That is why I am so pleased today to announce funding from the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada (SWC) to this important national organization.

Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada (GGC) will receive $481,300 over three years, for Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada (GGC) - Girls for Safer Communities.  This project will increase awareness about the safety concerns of girls and women, and develop leadership skills by providing training on community safety audits, as well as their planning, implementation and evaluation.

Thanks to Girl Guides of Canada/Guides du Canada, communities benefit from the contributions of youth.  Girls and young women become engaged and productive citizens - the women leaders of tomorrow - gaining the opportunity to explore issues that are important to them, such as the environment.

Now more than ever - particularly in these times of uncertainty - Canada's continued prosperity depends on girls and women, and creating the conditions for their success.  In assuring the economic security of girls and women, and ultimately, their prosperity, we strengthen future outcomes for society, as a whole.

Our Government is committed to promoting equality for women and girls.  Our goal is to have a direct impact on people's lives, and to achieve real, measurable results that work for every citizen - women and girls, and men and boys alike.

In Budget 2008, the Government of Canada announced it would develop an Action Plan to advance equality for women by improving their economic and social conditions, and their participation in democratic life.  In support of the Federal Action Plan for Women, Status of Women Canada has initiated a number of strategic partnerships to advance women's economic security and prosperity, to address violence against women, and to increase the participation of women and girls in leadership roles across society.

Over the past year, through the Women's Program of Status of Women Canada, our Government has formed partnerships with local women's organizations across the country.  Through these working relationships, we have invested in promising grass-roots projects that tackle some of the most daunting challenges and issues facing girls and women today - issues like violence, poverty and the lack of access to opportunity.

Our Government is acting on many other fronts to advance women's full participation.  For example, we have appointed more women to the federal Cabinet than ever before.  The realities facing Canadian women have never been so well represented at federal decision-making tables.  In addition, we have strengthened laws to protect young women from human trafficking.  And we have signed on to the UNIFEM Say No to Violence campaign, stating unequivocally our intolerance of violence against women and girls.

Because your work is with youth, it is always a work in progress.  Because our work is to promote equality for women - and we are not there yet - it, too, is a work in progress.

By coming together, as we are today, we are building success - for women, for girls, for everyone.  In the words of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the Girl Guide movement:

Coming together is a beginning,
Thinking together is unity,
Keeping together is progress,
Working together is success.

I couldn't agree more.  Together, we are making a difference for women and girls in Canada as we help Girl Guide members become change-makers for a better society.

Thank you.  Je vous remercie.

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