IN THE NEWS
September 10, 2004

Letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin About Apointing Women to the Supreme Court

Right Honourable Paul Martin
Prime Minister of Canada,
Office of the Prime Minister,
80 Wellington Street,
Ottawa, Ont.,
K1A 0A2
martin.p@parl.gc.ca and pm@pm.gc.ca

August 17, 2004

Dear Prime Minister,

We are writing to you on behalf of many Canadians who are unhappy that so few women were elected in the recent federal election and that so few were appointed to Cabinet. This under-representation has increased our concern that there currently remain only two female justices on the Supreme Court. We very much want to see two qualified women appointed as justices to the Supreme Court of Canada to bring the total to four female justices of the nine justices.

We believe that equity and equality for women require that womençs perspectives be included in shaping the direction of society. We need fair representation of both genders in the interpretation of the Charter of Rights if the Supreme Court of Canada is to serve all Canadians, of which 52 per cent are women.

As you know, there are a number of distinguished women who are qualified for these appointments. We know that you are committed to promoting gender equality, and we therefore urge you to appoint two women to our highest court.

Sincerely,

Rosemary Speirs
Chair
Equal Voice
(905) 509-2777

View Mr. Martins reply here