HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-04-22, Page 12Page 12—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1987
equality
Teachersquesti�n today
million dollar grant from the provincial
government will be used to pay legal costs.
Another example of systemic discrimina-
tion is the law governing terms of employ-
ment of domestic workers. Many are ex-
ploited, and are often in a position where
they can't complain. Again, although the
law sounds neutral, 98 per cent of domestics
are women.
LEAF, which was set up to raise money to
litigate cases establishing women's .rights,
hopes to intercede on behalf of these women
by using a surrogate plaintiff.
To illustrate the complexities of equality,
Ms. Greaves brought up the Justine Blaney
case. LEAF backed the young girl's court
challenge of the Amateur Hockey Associa-
tion's refusal to let a girl play on a boys'
hockey team. That issue is still unresolved,
and we sent back to the Human Rights Com-
mission of Ontario to see if it violates the
Charter.
Ms. Greaves said she realizes this is a
minefield: if Justine wins, and all amateur
sports are open to both sexes, what will hap-
pen to women's hockey? She emphasized
the implications for the Federation of
Women Teachers Association of Ontario.
She believes that because of the historic and
physiological differences between men and
women, women teachers need to maintain a
separate organization while working toward
equality of pay and opportunity.
"We must think carefully about what we
want to preserve," she cautioned.
Ms. Greaves listed some of the modern
pioneers in the fight for equality. Included
STANLEY TWP. — "What is equality,
and what do we mean when we say we want
it?" That was the question posed by guest
speaker Laura Greaves to the members of
the Huron Federation of Women Teachers
and their guests, the female employees and
municipal representatives of the Huron
County Board of Education, at the teachers
third annual celebration of the Charter off
Rights held in the Stanley Complex.
Ms. Greaves, voted the outstanding
woman of 1986 by the London Jlmior
Chamber of Commerce, aper}ed her ex-
perience , as an executive IN the board of
directors of the National Action Committee
on the Status of Women to give 'some of the
background necessary to provide an inform-
ed answer to her question.
Although the. road to equality seems to be
three steps forward and two back, that is
still one step forward each time, Ms.
Greaves pointed out. Even seeming defeats
can be turned around. The sudden cancellat-
tion by the Trudeau government of a
woman's conference on the constitution
spurred the formation of the NAC the
largest grassroots women's rights lobby in
the country.
Clause 28 of the Charter, guaranteeing
equality to all regardless of gender,
reflected the work of a second conference on
the constitution set up by these women.
Governments asked for three years to tidy
up their laws after section 15 was passed in
1982 giving men and women equality under
and before the law, but discriminatory laws
remained on the books. LEAF ( Legal,
-Educational and Action Fund) has been
testing some of these.
Ms. Greaves said the battle now is not
against overt discrimination against
women. That is easily recognizable, but sub-
tle, systemic discrimination is now being
uncovered. One example is Ontario's
"spouse in the house" rule requiring reci-
pients of family benefits to live as single
persons. Though this does not look like
discrimination, almost all family benefit
recipients are women. LEAF announced
last fall it was going to charge the govern-
ment with discrimination, but delayed when
the Ministry of Community and Social Ser-
vices promised to amend the law.
The "sex inspectors" were taken off the
job recently, but the legislation remains.
LEAF is going ahead with its plans to in-
itiate legal action. Ironically, part of a
was Lucy Richardson, who organized
military wives to challenge regulations that
discriminated against spouses and female
members of the forces.
Irene Murdoch lost her court case for an
equitable property settlement after divorc-
ing her rancher husband in the days before
the protection of the Charter and the family
law reform act.
One of the first cases LEAF backed was a
challenge by Stella Bliss in a Yukon court to
retain her maiden name after marriage.
She lost the case, but won in her battle to be
awarded costs.
"Stella and Irene paid for our mobiliza-
tion, and I don't think we can forget that,"
Ms. Greaves said.
Ms. Greaves advised her audience to
decide what they want and why they want it
( which she admitted was easier said than
done) then work to get it translated into law.
Ms. Greaves said those most in need are
least able to finance litigation, and least
likely to initiate court action. She said the
Charter is here for our benefit, LEAF is
here to initiate court action, and govern-
ments are the main funders of this litigation
which is always against them.
Ms. Greaves suggested that women
become more aware, and screw up their
courage and be a plaintiff when they en-
counter discrimination.
"We can't forget our history, and how long
it took to get this far. We can't let up
pressure on the courts to win one more yard
- or metre - of equality," was Ms. Greaves
call to action.
Awards banquet coming up
HOLMESVILLE - Extraordinary people -
that is who will be honoured at the Second
Annual Excellence in Education Awards
Banquet at the Goderich Township Hall on
April 29. The Awards evening is co-
sponsored by the Huron County Board of
Education and District 45 of the Ontario
Secondary School Teacher's Federation.
Students, teachers •and community
representatives who have been nominated
for their special contributions to each of the
secondary schools in Huron County will be
recognized.
The idea of acknowledging individuals for
their contribution to the excellence in educa-
tion began at last year's banquet. About 200
peonle warn in al' tend anra Twanty-thrnn
students were presented with framed cer-
tificates and Excellence in Education pens
before their parents and the community.
Eleven teachers from the six secondary
schools were honoured for their contribu-
tions to the school environment beyond the
classroom and for Federation and com-
munity involvement. Finally, six communi-
ty representatives were recognized for their
contributions, which ranged from donating
many volumes for a school's library to
assisting in music programs.
Members of the public are invited to at-
tend this year's awards banquet. Tickets
may be purchased at your local high school
from the principal for $10.00 each.
ATTENTION: NON-PROFIT HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS
Create no.n-profit
housing nyour
commumty
Applications are due
May15.
Meeting Ontario's
housing needs.
As first advertised last January,
applications are heing accepted
for the development of 6,700 new
non profit housing Units across
Ontario. Construct ion of these
units will begin in 1988.
Interested groups should apply
now as the May 15th deadline
for frrPlirninary applications is
fast approaching.
The Government of Canada
through Canada Mortgage and
Housing Corporation, and the
Province of Ontario through the
Ministry of Housing, will he cost
sharing assistance directed to
needy households. NTarket units
will he fully funded by the Prov
ince of Ontario.
The program is open to all
municipal non profit. private non
profit and non profit co operative
organizations.
Local community organizations
wishing to sponsor non profit
housing projects can apply for
government grants to cover the
costs of establishing non profit
housing corporations.
Affordable housing
for those in need.
This program helps non-profit
agencies to create affordable
housing for households in need
of housing assistance. These
include families, senior citizens
or physically, developmentally
and psychiatrically handicapped
persons able to live independently.
In addition, some of the units
will he specifically targetted to
low income singles.
Call now for
complete details.
Organizations wishing to spon-
sor such housing projects must
suhmit their prolirninar/ appli
cations by May l;>. 1987.
For more information and
application packages, contact
your nearest Regional Office of
the Ministry of Housing as soon
as possible.
Canaua
Ontario
Sauthem Office
55 Hess St S
Hamilton Ontario I RP 4R8
'4161521.7500
or dial 0 and ask
for Zenith 20450
Regional Offices of the Ministry of Housing
Eastern Office
1150 Morrison fir 2nd Fir
Ottawa Ontario K 21 ssq
16131820-0305
or dial toll-free
1 R00 267 6108
Northwestern 0ffice
435 .lames St S
Thunder Bay Ontario P 1c 5G6
807 475.1465
Or deal toll-free
1 800.465-5015
Southwestern Office
380 Wellington St Some 1100
I ondnn Ontario NSA 585
5101 670.7110
or dial toll-free
1 800 265 4733
Northam 0ffice
1191 I ansmq Ave
Sudbury Ontario P3A 4C4
7051560-6350
or dial roll -free
1 800 461 tigo
Central Office
4950 vonge St 4th Fir
Toronto Ontario M2N 6K1
4161225.1211
or dial '0and ask
for Zenith 20450
At the Londesboro and District Lions Club's 10th anniversary dinner, life memberships
were awarded to (left), President Howard Cartwright, Second Vice -President Dave
Overboe and Tail Twister Ron Nesbitt (front). (Anne Narejko photo)
The Londesboro and District Lions Club marked their 10th anniversary with a dinner and
awards ceremony at the Clinton Legion on April 16. For the third time in the club's
history, they won the District A-9 Bulletin Award. Presenting the plaque to editor Alt
Airdrie is District Governor Gord Rimmer (right). IAnne Narejko photo)
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