PCWO AGM 2015 - Delegate's Report
Provincial Council of Women of Ontario Annual General Meeting
November 17th, 2015 at Queen’s Park, Room 228
Three Toronto and Area Council of Women members attended to PCWO meeting at Queen’s Park: Emanuela Mousley as representative of TACW, Connie Zboch as member, and Eileen Lackie as observer. It is always a pleasure to attend a meeting in the beautiful legislature building. The eighteen registered delegates felt very welcomed by all the staff as we entered the building.
The meeting was opened by Mary Potter, president of PCWO, who welcomed us and gave greetings from the National Council to the delegates. The business part of the meeting continued until it was time to leave for Question Period in the Legislature. That is a highlight of the day to watch our government in action. Various MPPs greeted the visitors in the galleries. Our group was also named. Afterwards some delegates talked to their MPP in the Hall and at lunch in the cafeteria downstairs.
In the afternoon the Vice Presidents of PCWO gave their reports: Environment - Greenbelt protection, nuclear plants, etc.; Health & Safety - saving and negotiating the Canada Health Act; Business Women Representation - research in the gender wage gaps; Housing - there are 168,000 waiting for social housing, halfway housing, mixed housing, etc.; Seniors Issues - auditor report on End of Life legislation, home sharing, etc.; Nutrition - teaching Home Economics to prevent poverty hunger. It is amazing the work and research that goes in compiling these reports.
The delegates were pleased and honoured that four MPP came in at various times to speak to us. The Speaker of the House talked about poverty and how education helped him. Other MPP, Nazim Nasat, talked about immigration and correctional services; Marie-France Lalonde, the party Whip described her work; Teresa Armstrong, NDP Seniors’ Affairs Critic described the problems also of citizenship and international trade; Sheri De Nouv, NDP critic spoke very eloquently of urban transportation and Greater Toronto Area issues and lastly on LGBTQ issues especially for single people who are trying to navigate life without family support.
Each of the delegates was given a copy of the Brief, presented to the Government of Ontario written by the PCWO. The Brief contains six Resolutions and Updates—
Endangered Species Act
Enhanced Powers for Ontario’s Child and Youth Advocate
Mandatory Food and Nutrition education
Update #1: Cessation of the use of Segregation in Ontario Correctional Institutions
Update #2: Denticare
Update #3: Exposure to asbestos - a health hazard
‘Ongoing Issues’ are presented in many areas (13): Economics, Education, Environment, Fracking, Great Lakes, Greenbelt and Tender Fruit Land Protection, Incineration, Neonicotinoids, Health, Housing, Seniors Issues, Social Development and Status of Women. Lastly was a NCWC Resolution with Provincial Implications —maximize removal of chemicals & pharmaceuticals from wastewater before releasing wastewater into the environment, and the regulation of electronic cigarettes.
There are four Local Councils: London, Ottawa, St. Catherine’s and Toronto; one Study Group in Oakville and eight Provincially Organized Societies.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent TACW.
Connie Zboch, president