Minister responsible for the Status of Women (Canada)
| Minister of Status of Women of Canada | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Department of Canadian Heritage | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Member of | |
| Appointer | Governor General of Canada |
| Term length | At Her Majesty's pleasure |
| Inaugural holder | Bob Andras |
| Formation | June 11, 1971 |
| Salary | $251,900 (CAD) |
The position of Minister of Status of Women (previously the Minister responsible for the Status of Women) in the Canadian cabinet was created in 1971 as a product of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women (created in 1967, report handed down in 1970). Most provincial cabinets have a similar position. Initially, the purpose of the position was to help implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission.
The minister has responsibility for Status of Women Canada, an agency currently under the Department of Canadian Heritage. When the minister legally responsible for Status of Women Canada has been responsible for the file, traditionally, that minister has carried the additional honorary title "Minister responsible for the Status of Women" to emphasize this role while when another minister has been charged with the agency, it was necessary to delegate the responsibilities to a minister of state.
Key:
In Jean Chrétien's ministry (1993 - 2003) the position was secretary of state (status of women), a position that did not carry full cabinet rank. The position was known as minister of state (status of women) in the first cabinet of Paul Martin, due to its responsibilities being delegated from the Minister of Canadian Heritage but reverted to its old title of minister responsible for the status of women with the swearing in of Liza Frulla in July 2004 as Frulla doubled as Heritage Minister who was ultimately responsible for Status of Women Canada.
In 2003, Status of Women Canada was sued for defamation in BC Supreme Court. The court found that a Status of Women Canada research publication was defamatory, although the plaintiff's claim was dismissed. The defence granted by the judge was "fair comment", which is a defence granted to non-factual statements of opinion. The judge further determined that despite the lack of truth, there was no malice involved in the defamation because the defendants truly believed what they wrote.
Status of Women Canada administers the Governor General's Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case.
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