International Women's Day
March 8, 2011

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of International Women's Day.

It is a time to commemorate women who have impacted us, guided us and supported us in our own life's path.

Each year, the United Nations chooses a theme to commemorate the day.

Ontario joins the world in celebrating women and championing Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women

Equality and education of women – two keys to women's success.

Even though gender inequality is rooted in attitudes and beliefs that devalue women and restrict their achievements.

We know that education can help remove those barriers and empower women.

As former U.N. Secretary General, Kofi Annan, once said…

 "It is impossible to realize our goals while discriminating against half the human race. As study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women."

Education provides women with skills and knowledge.  It boosts self-confidence and has the ability to set women on a path to self-sufficiency and economic independence.

Today, the majority of Ontario's university graduates are now women. Despite this—Statistics Canada reports women's employment remains concentrated in traditional service sectors such as education, human resources, health and social services.

To ensure equality, to access the best-paying jobs, and to boost Ontario's competitiveness--we need women in every sector and at every level.

The good news Mr. Speaker, is that the number of women registered in apprenticeship programs has risen, with women now representing 28 per cent of new apprentices in major skilled trades.

That being said, there is still room for growth.

The new Ontario College of Trades established in 2010 will encourage more workers in the trades.

Our government continues to help low-income women gain entry to non-traditional jobs through our Women in Skilled Trades and Information Technology training program.

We are also helping women who have been laid off to retrain for new in-demand jobs though our Second Career program.

In all, we have supported thousands of women in these programs—helping them gain access to good jobs and economic independence.

But economic independence for women cannot be fully realized if those same women are not safe.

That is why just last week we introduced Ontario's Sexual Violence Action Plan to better protect women through investments in education, training and awareness programs.

This plan builds on the success our Domestic Violence Action Plan by improving supports for survivors and investing in public education to prevent sexual violence from occurring. 

Mr. Speaker, while we stand today to mark International Women's Day, I believe we stand for women every day.

We want all of Ontario's women and girls to exercise their full potential so that they may have equal access to the jobs of the future—and that they may be safe in their homes, workplaces and communities.

We will continue to support them through our excellent education and training opportunities, our important safety initiatives and through fostering a society where equality is the foundation for all our decisions and actions.

Thank you.