Media Statement on Federal Election Outcome – Commitments for women’s rights should be a priority for the new government

The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and the elected Liberal MPs on receiving a mandate from Canadians to form a new government.

During this time of economic turmoil, there is an urgent need for new policies and investments that will strengthen women’s financial resilience and protect their participation in the workforce. Additionally, urgent action is required to address the epidemic of gender-based violence in Canada.

“Progressive and inclusive leadership from Prime Minister Carney and his new government will be critical to protecting women’s rights and advancing substantive gender equality during this period of significant economic uncertainty and rising anti-rights movements,” said Suzanne Zaccour, Director of Legal Affairs at NAWL.

NAWL calls on Prime Minister Carney – whose election win was propelled by strong support from female voters –  to act with urgency to protect women’s rights and prosperity, as promised in the Liberal’s campaign platform. Specifically, NAWL calls on the Carney-led government to prioritize and implement these six actions in the first months of its new mandate:

• Minister of Women and Gender Equality – Restore this critical leadership role for the advancement of substantive gender equality as a full cabinet position, as called for by over 400 women’s organizations and professionals across Canada.
• Gender Equality on G7 Agenda – Use Canada’s G7 presidency to put gender equality squarely on the June summit agenda in light of the global rollback on women’s rights. A threat to gender equality is a threat to economic resilience and undermines the ability of G7 countries to withstand and respond to broader societal and global crises.
• Access to EI Benefits for Women – Address gender-based discrimination in the EI program by ensuring that individuals who lose their job while on parental leave remain eligible for EI regular benefits by removing the 50-week cap on combining Employment Insurance regular benefits and special benefits for parental leave. This is particularly pertinent as women face increased economic insecurity during the U.S. trade war crisis.
• Gun Control – Bring all measures addressing intimate-partner gun violence in former Bill C-21 into force and complete the buyback program for military-style weapons. Regulations proposed in March must be reviewed to avoid unduly narrowing the scope of former Bill C-21.
• Family Law Reform – Listen to more than 250 women’s organizations calling for an amendment to the Divorce Act to stop the use of accusations of parental alienation in family courts, and initiate a review of the Divorce Act as urged by the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs of Canada during the study of former Bill C-78. This review would aim to ensure the ongoing relevance and effectiveness of the Act, particularly in light of societal changes and evolving legal interpretations.
• Strengthen the Women’s Rights Movement in Canada – Honour the 2024 Fall Economic Statement commitment of $15 million for national women’s rights organizations to support systemic change and advance gender equality.

NAWL also congratulates all the newly elected and re-elected Conservative, Bloc, NDP and Green MPs. We look forward to working with the government and all Parliamentarians to protect and promote women’s rights in the coming months and years.