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Speaking Notes for The Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P. Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women on the occasion of the Annual UN Women Canada National Committee Award Luncheon Rideau Club

Ottawa , October 3, 2011

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Thank you, for that kind introduction.

Your Excellency, Madame Chair, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

It is indeed a privilege to be here today, to honour Joy Smith and Belinda Stronach – both outstanding women highly deserving of recognition.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to begin by extending warm greetings to Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, former president of Chile and Under Secretary General of UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women.

I was thrilled to attend the launch of UN Women in New York and look forward to working with this great organization in the future.

Her Excellency recently attended the APEC Women’s Summit, where I was privileged to join her, as the head of the Canadian delegation. 

Madame Bachelet is respected throughout the world as a visionary leader, a skilled builder of consensus and a lifelong proponent of women’s rights.
Your Excellency, it is indeed an honour to welcome you to Canada once again.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the staff of the UN Women Canada National Committee for organizing this wonderful event. 

What better way is there to start October, Women’s History Month in Canada, than to gather here today to honour two outstanding Canadians.

The choice of October for Women’s History Month highlights the historical significance of the Persons Case. In October 1929, a group of strong-minded, trail-blazing Prairie women, now known as the “Famous Five,” succeeded in having women declared “persons” before the law.

Today, we are here to celebrate two women who are making a difference in the lives of women and girls in Canada and around the world.

My colleague in Parliament, Joy Smith, is one of Canada’s leading anti-trafficking activists.

Over the past few years human trafficking has become the fastest growing and most lucrative criminal enterprises and here in Canada, we are beginning to awake to the realities of this horrific crime.

Since being elected, Joy has led the discussion of human trafficking at a national level and this has resulted in important changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

In 2009, Joy introduced Bill C-268, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (minimum sentence for offences involving trafficking of persons under the age of eighteen years).
This Bill amended Canada’s Criminal Code to create a new offence for child trafficking with a five year mandatory penalty.

Bill C-268 received support from stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking and received near unanimous support and was passed by the House of Commons.

 And finally on June 29, 2010, Bill C-268 was granted Royal Assent and it has been used by police a number of times since becoming law.

Her tireless efforts do not go unrecognized.

This year, Joy received the Stand Firm Award & Ceremonial Shawl from First Nations Women’s Council of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) for her 'outstanding leadership and commitment to combating the sexual exploitation of First Nations People.’

An honour rarely bestowed on non-Aboriginal people.

She has also received the Ratanak Wilberforce Award for her dedication to ending the practice of the modern day slave trade.        

Belinda is a community, business and public leader who cares deeply about Canada and the broader issues of quality of life both at home and abroad.

Her philanthropic activities range from “Spread the Net”, a national grassroots campaign that raises awareness and funds to combat death from malaria to her support for breast cancer research and survivors.

She is the patron of the Belinda Stronach Chair in Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery at the Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation.
The Chair provides guaranteed funding for a program to ensure that the important option of reconstructive surgery for women who have undergone mastectomies is more widely available.

Today I would like to focus on one of the initiatives of The Belinda Stronach Foundation.

Founded in 2008 with the mission of advancing human potential and achievement through individual empowerment and social change, the Foundation focuses on three main pillars: Girls and Women, Aboriginal Youth and Global Initiatives.

As the Minister for Status of Women, I am especially excited about the Foundation’s G(irls) 20 initiative.

This October, The Belinda Stronach Foundation together with over 50 non-profit, corporate partners and Foundations will host the G(irls)20 Summit 2011 in Paris.

The Summit is modeled after the G20; bringing together one delegate from each G20 country, and a representative from the African Union.

The delegates debate, discuss and design innovative ideas that are necessary to empower girls and women globally.

While the agenda is the same as that of the G20 leaders and focuses on economic innovation – the participants are all girls, aged 18-20.

The delegates participate in panel discussions, attend workshops and caucus to discuss and promote tangible, scalable solutions toward economic prosperity, culminating in a delegate led press conference and communiqué that provides a blueprint on how to utilize and engage one of the best resources in the world – girls and women.

I was delighted to meet with the G(irls) 20 delegates at their summit in Toronto. Meeting these young women who are so dedicated to bettering the lives of their peers was truly inspiring.

It is clear that in order to build a brighter future, we must ensure girls are supported as they reach for their dreams and fulfill their potential. 

Canada is leading the call for an International Day of the Girl.  In March, I proposed to Parliament a motion to proclaim an International Day of the Girl – and the motion received unanimous consent from all parties.

When girls know their rights, they are more likely to exercise them.  When girls have a solid foundation in life, they can truly blossom, grow and join in building a stronger nation.  Girls are a key component to a country's prosperity.  They can be tremendous leaders, if given the chance.

Leaders like the women here today.

An International Day of the Girl will help raise global awareness of the unique challenges facing girls, as well as their tremendous potential.

Later this month, I will address the United Nations to request that member countries support the establishment of an International Day of the Girl.

If we work together September 22 will be an annual commemoration in support of girls’ human rights and opportunities.

I am committed to improving the lives of women and girls in communities across Canada and around the world. 

I am committed to our continued action to help women be safer, more secure and more economically successful, supporting projects that strengthen Canadian families and communities.

In conclusion, Ms. Smith and Ms. Stronach, through your achievements, you are an inspiration, especially to young women and girls. 

Girls have so much to contribute in making our world a better place for all.  We just have to give them the opportunity to do so.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude for your outstanding contributions to advance equality for women.

Thank you.

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Date Modified:
2011-11-10