PCWO 96th Semi-Annual General Meeting - November 2019

Report on the 96th Semi-Annual Meeting of the Provincial Council of Women of Ontario

Nov. 20, 2019 at Queen’s Park, Toronto

It is with a sense of accomplishment that the Provincial Council of Women of Ontario (PCWO) presents its Annual Brief to Premier Doug Ford and members of the Ontario government of the day at the MPP’s local riding office. This is the 96th year that PCWO has submitted this to the provincial government.

In the words of Edeltraud Neal, “Over the past decades the PCWO has been a leader in bringing the government’s attention to matters of concern for many Ontarians.” Indeed the members who research, write and note on the resolutions are aware of issues for families, communities, the environment, and problems of poverty, health and jobs. They hope their policy resolutions will be discussed by MPPs. An invitation was issued to the Premier and politicians to drop in Room 230 of the PCWO semi-annual meeting to speak with the delegates.

Edeltraud Neal, PCWO president, welcomed delegates and also gave her report. Present were 17 members, delegates, federates and guests who all participated in giving reports. The local councils represented include Toronto, Ottawa, London, and Niagara District. Some federates were the Women’s Institute of Ontario, the Business and Professional Women of Ontario (BPW), the Ontario Dental Hygienists’ Association and Ontario Home Economics Association.

Two MPPs who visited were enthusiasts about their ministry responsibilities: Jill Dunlop, Progressive Conservative, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues; and Jill Andrew, a new NDP member, is the critic for Women’s Issues and Gender Equity.

Heather Ellis from BPW gave an update on the Human Trafficking Awareness Day and said #ProjectMapleLeaf (previously also known as #ProjectOnRoute) will launch from Ontario on Feb. 22, 2020 as a national awareness campaign to end trafficking and support the survivors of this tragic business.

We were privileged to be invited to the House Gallery for the morning session from 10 to 12 noon. It was a busy time in the upper galleries, and many MPPs introduced the visitors to the House while groups came and went to view the spectacle of a full house of politicians questioning and answering each other.

A handout included the newsletter for the Niagara District Council of Women in which Gracia Janes, president, writes about the successful Fall forum where there was a talk about the current global climate crisis. 50 people attended and listened to Ed Smith, a representative of the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Thank you to PCWO for a full and interesting day at the semi-annual meeting. The reports were fascinating. The food prepared by the Queen’s Park staff was delicious and visiting our provincial legislation building is a reminder of our government at work.

Regards,
Connie Zboch, President of TACW