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Speech for The Honourable Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P. Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women The 2011 Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case

Rideau Hall , October 18, 2011

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Your Excellency, honoured Persons Awards recipients, Senator Eaton, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:  it is a pleasure to join you all in marking Persons Day, as we celebrate Canada's successes, at home and abroad, in strengthening gender equality.

[Thank you, Your Excellency, for hosting us here at beautiful Rideau Hall.]

And I have a special gift for you and Mrs. Johnston to add to your library. A book by Merna Foster entitled 100 Canadian Heroines: Famous and Forgotten Faces.
This is the second edition. You will find the first edition in your library, given to former Governor General Michaelle Jean by Mrs. Laureen Harper.

It has been more than 82 years since five smart, tough and determined Alberta women challenged a fundamental injustice that denied women full, equal status as persons under Canadian law.

These women were champions of the core values of Canadian society – freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law – and they successfully challenged our legal system to live up to those values.

And today's Persons Awards recipients are champions of the same values:

Madeline Boscoe;
Nancy Hartling;
Lucie Joyal;
Sharon Donna McIvor;
Kim Pate; and
Youth Award recipient Amber JoAnn Fletcher.

All of us here today are beneficiaries of their efforts.  Our country is more successful, more tolerant, more peaceful and more egalitarian today because women and men are equal before the law.

Unfortunately, this is not the case in far too many countries around the world, where gender inequality occurs in lockstep with poverty, oppression, violence, social disorder and economic stagnation.

[We must never forget our privileged place in the world.  We must look beyond our own situations to see what we can do for women. ]

A measure of the breadth and depth of Canada's commitment to gender equality is revealed in the theme of this year's Women's History Month.

The theme, Women in Canadian Military Forces: A Proud Legacy, reminds us of the heroic contributions and sacrifices countless Canadian women have made – and continue to make – to our national security, at home and abroad.
Whether delivering aid in Haiti or fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan, Canadian women in the armed forces are promoting peace and security, in Canada and around the world.

[A world where women and men are treated as equals is a better, safer world.]

[And for our government, it starts with ensuring women in developing countries have access to proper healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth.]

That's why our government led the way on the United Nations Maternal and Child Health Initiative at last year's G8 Summit.

It starts with supporting girls…

And that's why Canada is leading the efforts to establish an International Day of the Girl – to shed light on girls' rights around the world.

No matter where they live, all girls deserve to grow up free from violence and oppression, so they can become great women, like those we honour here today – leaders and champions.

Each in her own way reflects the spirit of the "Famous Five" trailblazers of 82 years ago.  Congratulations to one and all.  Thank you.

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Date Modified:
2011-11-10