26th Annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for the Status of Women Iqaluit, Nunavut – July 10-11, 2007

NEWS RELEASE
Ref: 830-916/004

IQALUIT, Nunavut , July 11, 2007 – Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers (FPT) Responsible for the Status of Women concluded their 26 th annual meeting, agreeing to promote women’s economic self-sufficiency, safety and security, and to work toward improving the situation of Inuit, First Nations and Métis women in Canada.

The meeting was co-chaired by the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, and Nunavut’s Minister of Health and Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq.FPT Ministers unanimously confirmed their support for the 2007 Iqaluit Declaration, which states, “Recognizing the urgent need to improve the lives of Aboriginal women and girls, the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women come together in a declaration of their commitment to improve the social, economic and cultural well-being of Inuit, Métis and First Nations women, both on and off reserve, in Canada.” This commitment will be realized through the actions of each government, within their respective jurisdictions.

FPT Ministers discussed three priorities for action to provide concrete support to Canadian women. These priorities address women’s economic security; the importance of supporting Aboriginal women in leadership positions; and the treatment of Aboriginal women within the justice system. Ministers are committed to a collaborative relationship leading to meaningful change for all women.

FPT Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women welcome the recommendations for action presented to governments by participants at the recent National Aboriginal Women’s Summit in Newfoundland and Labrador. They encourage efforts to explore these insights and act on the recommendations emerging from the Summit.

Since their first meeting in 1981, Ministers have met annually to examine ways to improve women’s situation and to exchange information on issues affecting women in Canada, specifically in the areas of economic security, violence and human rights.

The next annual meeting of Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women will take place in Manitoba in September of 2008.

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For more information, please contact:

Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
(819) 997-7788

Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director, Communications
Status of Women Canada
(613) 995-7839

Nancy Campbell
Director, Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
Government of Nunavut
(867) 975-5714