Saskatchewan

Introduction

640. This will update to June 1994, the information contained in Canada's third report on the Convention.

Article 2: Legislation

641. The Family Maintenance Act, enacted in 1990, removed fault provisions so that payment of maintenance is to be determined on the basis of need and ability to pay. New provisions included a maintenance obligation between common law spouses.

642. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code was amended in 1993 to add protection from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, family status and receipt of public assistance (welfare). The amendments apply to situations involving employment, housing and the provision of public services.

643. As a result of changes made in 1993 to The Limitation of Actions Act, there is no longer a limitation period for bringing civil action for trespass to the person, assault or battery where the cause of action is based on sexual misconduct or where at the time of injury the plaintiff was in a relationship of financial, emotional or physical dependency with the defendant.

644. Changes to The Victims of Crime Act extend the limitation period for making a claim against the Victims Fund as a result of a sexual offence or non-sexual assault. No action is necessary until the victim is able to understand the nature of the injuries and recognize the effects of the misconduct. The Victims Fund provides financial support for programs and services for victims of crime, and for research and education in the areas of crime prevention and early intervention.

645. Common law partners now have the right to sue if their spouse is killed. An amendment to The Fatal Accidents Act extends the right to sue the person responsible for the death. Previously, only legally married spouses, as well as children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents had the right to take legal action.

646. The Victims of Domestic Violence Act, yet to be proclaimed, establishes emergency judicial orders, available in domestic violence situations, allowing the abused party, usually the woman, to remain in the family home and requiring the abuser to leave. Orders are available to ensure that an abused party can obtain access to personal effects following an abusive incident. Further remedies are available for the abused party following a domestic violence incident. The legislation also allows authorities to obtain warrant to enter the home to investigate allegations of abuse.

647. A province-wide Family Law Division, Court of Queen's Bench, is being created with support services to ensure that family breakdown matters are more sensitively and responsibly dealt with by the justice system. As family breakdown is a time of significant emotional, physical and financial hardship to women and children, these services should help to lessen these effects.

648. There are also amendments, soon to be proclaimed, to The Labour Standards Act relevant to this convention. Part-time workers in larger firms will receive the benefits available to full-time employees, in proportion to the hours worked. Employers will also be required to provide employees with weekly work schedules and a week's notice of changes in their schedules. The Act will require the payment of public holiday pay for all employees in proportion to the number of hours worked. These changes will benefit the great number of women who work part-time. Maternity, paternity and adoption leaves are available to allow parents to care for their children. Changes to the Act will increase the six weeks (unpaid) parental leave to 12 weeks.

649. The Women's Affairs Act continues in force, creating a Cabinet portfolio for matters related to the status of women. The Act charges the Minister responsible to: develop mechanisms for the integration of women's concerns into the government's decision making process; co-ordinate policy, programs and activities of the government relating to the status of women; make recommendations with respect to matters affecting the status of women; and provide any appropriate assistance for improving the status of women in our province.

650. The Occupational Health and Safety Act now prohibits harassment in the workplace that constitutes a threat to the health and safety of the worker. The definition includes sexual harassment as well as harassment based on a number of other grounds, including marital status, family status and sexual orientation. The Act and regulations have a preventative focus and require employers to have harassment policies, to educate staff and to institute complaint mechanisms.

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Article 3: Human rights and fundamental freedoms in all fields

651. The Saskatchewan Women's Secretariat continues to work with government departments and agencies to ensure that women's concerns are incorporated into government planning and policy development. The Secretariat's staff allocation was increased from seven person years in 1991-92 to ten in 1993-94.

652. In 1993-1995, the Secretariat has been or will be working on issues such as: violence against women and in families; violence in the media; pay equity; employment equity; balancing paid work and family responsibilities; child care (day care); plans to improve co-ordination of services to children; and Saskatchewan women's history and accomplishments.

653. In March 1991, the Women's Secretariat produced the Saskatchewan Women's Directory, a readily accessible source of information about services, programs and organizations of interest and benefit to Saskatchewan women. The Directory was updated in 1993. It is available free of charge.

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Article 4: Affirmative action programs

654. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission continues to approve programs designed to address disadvantages faced by people on the basis of prohibited grounds of discrimination. The Commission's programs currently target women, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people and members of visible minorities. The Commission supervises 18 programs in the workplace, affecting 30,240 workers or 6.5 percent of the workforce and 7 programs in training institutions.

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Article 5: Eliminating practices based on stereotyping; family education

655. The Department of Justice and the Department of Education, Training and Employment are co-operating to set up peer counselling groups in high schools across the province to deal with dating violence.

656. The Saskatchewan Association of Broadcasters, representing the private television and radio broadcast industry, is working in consultation with government and community agencies to develop a series of public service announcements on family violence. The TV ads are designed to promote community awareness of the issue of family violence and to counter messages sometimes sent by the mass media that violence is acceptable.

657. The Department of Education has developed optional units for the provincial Health curriculum for grades 7 to 9 which address family violence. Family violence units for grades 11 and 12 are being developed as part of the new Life Transitions Course, which will be offered as an elective.

658. The Department of Social Services, through the Family Support Centre, provides outreach and support to battered women and their families. In addition, the Family Sexual Treatment Program offers counselling to families who experience intrafamilial sexual abuse. In 1993, the Department provided $2.8M to non-governmental organizations for services to women and children who have experienced abuse. The services range from emergency shelters to counselling. For the 1994-95 fiscal year, the Department has allocated $750,000 (new funding) for family violence services. This money is directed to community based outreach services, support to existing services, and to develop services in areas that are currently underserviced.

659. The Saskatchewan Indian and M‚tis Affairs Secretariat provides core (operational) funding to three Indian, M‚tis and Aboriginal women's groups, encouraging them to represent to the government the particular issues that face their respective client groups. On an annual basis, a total of $174,000 is available for three Aboriginal women's groups.

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Article 7: Political and public life

660. In 1994, 13 of the 66 members (20 percent) of the provincial legislature are women. There are 4 women Cabinet ministers. This is an improvement over the previous legislature in which 5 out of 64 (7.8 percent) of the members were women.

661. From 1985 to 1994, there was a slight increase in the number of women elected to city government positions. In 1985, no mayors of cities were women. In 1994, 2 out of 12 (16.6 percent) were women. Women comprised 12 out of 85 city councillors in 1985 (14.1 percent) and 13 out of 77 in 1994 (16.9 percent). (Saskatchewan cities have populations of 5,000 to 190,000)

662. In 1985, eight of the 363 village mayors were women (2.2 percent). In 1994, twenty-two of the 324 mayors were women (6.8 percent). (Villages have populations of 100 to 500)

663. In 1994, none of the reeves of rural municipalities were women. (Figures were not available for earlier years)

664. Since the fall of 1991, 43 percent of appointments to provincial boards and commissions have been women.

665. Women have the right to vote and are not legally restricted from participating in public life. However, in 1994 it is still the case that work and family responsibilities, the lack of political support for women candidates, and limited financial resources for running election campaigns, often limit women's political participation.

666. The Saskatchewan Women's Advisory Council is a government-appointed group of nine women, who are from a variety of backgrounds. It reports to the Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for the Status of Women. The first Council was established in 1974. The most recent Council was appointed in March 1994. The Council's terms of reference are: to advise the government on matters pertaining to women; to consult with the public and bring the concerns on status of women issues to the attention of the government; to undertake research on matters relevant to the status of women.

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Article 10: Education

667. Further to Saskatchewan's last report on this Convention, the Department of Education, Training and Employment prepared a Gender Equity Policy for the Kindergarten to Grade 12 system in 1991. A committee has been formed to promote implementation of the gender equity policy in Saskatchewan schools. This committee has representation from the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation, the Saskatchewan School Trustees Association, the League of Educational Administrators, Directors of Education and Superintendents and the education faculties of the two universities.

668. Saskatchewan Women's Secretariat is co-funding with the federal government a video and educational kit which points out the changes needed to counteract the gender bias in Canadian education systems, teaching methods, parental attitudes and relations between male and female students.

669. A number of governmental and non-governmental organizations have co-operated in sponsoring pilot project "Girls Exploring Technology" summer camps. The three-week camps introduced young women in grades 7 and 8 to the concept of trades and technology career choices.

670. Saskatchewan Women in Trades and Technologies, a women's professional organization, prepared two videos and accompanying educational kits. "She's Got Her Ticket" profiles women successfully working in trades and technologies. "She's Making Choices" shows girls at a trades and technology summer camp and interviews girls planning for a variety of careers. This material is distributed through the provincial education system.

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Article 11: Employment

671. The provincial government, through the Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) has three Employment Equity plans approved by the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, applicable to managerial, professional and unionized positions in the public service. In proportion to the working age population provincially, the overall representation of women in the public service is more than sufficient (at 54.1 percent of our workforce vs. 43 percent in the community workforce), but numbers tend to be concentrated in certain occupational groupings, including administrative, fiscal and clerical positions.

672. The long term goal of the public service Employment Equity program for women is to increase their representation to 43 percent in managerial, professional and non-traditional occupations. Non-traditional occupations are those job classifications in which less than 30 percent of the positions are currently held by women.

673. Crown and Treasury Board corporations (which are currently developing equity plans in their workplaces) and individual government departments annually set quantitative and qualitative targets which are reviewed by the Steering Committee on Employment Equity which is responsible to Cabinet. Results are evaluated at year end. The P.S.C. assists departments to meet their goals through recruitment, staff development and training activities.

674. The P.S.C.'s job classification plan for non-unionized employees is calculated to be sensitive to gender bias. This provides for a more equitable evaluation of "jobs of equal value".

675. Any pregnant employee who has a medically substantiated need to be absent from work for health reasons related to the pregnancy, either before or after the date of delivery, is allowed to use sick leave benefits.

676. The P.S.C. circulated a pamphlet to all employees outlining programs to assist employees to balance work and family responsibilities. The options include: flexible start and stop times; job-sharing; reduction of hours; maternity, paternity and adoption leave; career leave (unpaid leave of absence); deferred salary leave plan; and pressing necessity leave.

677. A two-person sexual harassment unit began operation at the Women's Secretariat in the fall of 1994. The unit will work with business, employers, employees and unions to effect changes in workplace polices and practices regarding sexual harassment.

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Article 12: Health

Health education, prevention and promotion activities

678. Health education presentations are offered by public health nurses on a variety of topics including: menopause, breast self-examination, fitness and lifestyle, sexually transmitted diseases, heart health, nutrition, and stress management.

679. The Wellness and Health Promotion Branch of Saskatchewan Health has developed and distributed a range of health promotional literature dealing with women's health concerns: women and AIDS, pre-natal care, women and smoking, breast feeding, nutrition during pregnancy, etc. The Branch has also provided five grants totalling $23,000 during the 1993-94 budget year relating directly to women's issues including:

Menopause Resource Centre; Women and Wellness Conference; Women and AIDS (posters); Older Women and Poverty Video; and the Saskatchewan Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Co-ordinating Committee (symposium).

680. A home study course Wellness for the Caregiver assists those who are caring for an elderly parent or relative and was piloted in September 1993.

681. The Saskatchewan Institute for the Prevention of Handicaps, in partnership with Saskatchewan Health, initiated a "Down to Business" pilot program to deliver health education information at worksites and promoted development of the "Nobody's Perfect" primary prevention program for young parents.

682. The Saskatchewan Indian and Métis Affairs Secretariat provides ongoing financial support for an annual Women and Wellness Conference. The conference provides a forum for Aboriginal women to network and discuss concrete and practical ways to assist their communities with the healing process. The conference format is based on a holistic approach that focuses on the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of the participants. Conference activities include presentations, sharing of experiences, and discussions that are designed to support Aboriginal women as they strive to achieve a positive lifestyle as "caregivers" in their community. Since 1990, conference participation has increased from 450 participants to over 1,800 participants in 1993.

Health planning and policy development

683. The Saskatchewan Minister of Health's Advisory Committee on Family Planning was appointed in June 1992 to provide advice and develop policies on ways to reduce unintended pregnancies, particularly in adolescents, and to improve reproductive health. The committee's first report, Toward Sexual and Reproductive Health in Saskatchewan, was released in November 1993 and is currently under consideration.

684. A Women and Mental Well Being Conference, sponsored by the University of Saskatchewan with funding from Saskatchewan Health, was held in October 1991. The conference was highly successful and resulted in the formation of the Saskatchewan Women's Mental Health Agenda Project. The Project seeks to improve women's mental health through education and lobbying.

685. The Saskatchewan Midwifery Review Committee has been formed to assess the need for the regulation of midwifery services, and to consider the integration of midwifery into our health system.

Health services

686. Breast cancer screening services, initiated in 1990, continue to be available. Mammography tests are provided free of charge for women aged 50 to 69. Services are provided in medical facilities in seven urban centres and by use of a mobile van mammography unit in rural and northern areas. Funding in 1993-94 was increased to expand the breast cancer screening program in rural areas of the province.

687. Prenatal classes, well baby clinics and parenting classes are offered through health units throughout the province, some of which are specifically provided by and for Native women. Postnatal classes are provided in some public health jurisdictions.

688. Two Cervical Cytology Testing Centres in Regina and Saskatoon will be established by Saskatchewan Health for accurate centralized testing of cytology smears.

689. Family violence services offered by Saskatchewan Health have been extended and enhanced. The Batterer's Treatment Program for men is available in Prince Albert. A Sexual Abuse Treatment Program is available to children and youth in families affected by violence. Services are increasingly focused on the whole family as client.

690. The Women's Health Centre, located in the Regina General Hospital, consolidates a number of specialized diagnostic and treatment services for women including: fetal assessment, infertility services, colposcope, hysteroscope, cryotherapy, therapeutic abortion, laser therapy, and health and family counselling.

691. The Minister's Advisory Committee on Family Planning received approval to sponsor a toll-free line on reproductive health for Saskatchewan in 1994.

692. In 1989, the Department of Social Services established the Teen and Young Parent Program, a voluntary program designed to provide comprehensive services to assist teen and young parents facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Substance use

693. The Alcohol and Drug Services (ADS) Branch (formerly Saskatchewan Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission) of Saskatchewan Health provides several programs aimed specifically at women who are victims of alcohol or drug abuse, either directly or as spouses or as parents of children affected by substance abuse problems. These include the Spousal Support Program, where over 90 percent of the 1,100 clients are female, and the Women with Chemical Dependency intensive in-patient treatment program. ADS participates on the Women's Action Committee on Substance Use which is now developing a model of service for Saskatchewan women with problematic substance use.

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Article 13: Economic and social life

694. The child care program, administered by the Department of Social Services, continues to expand services, with an emphasis on rural areas. Monthly grants are provided for infants and toddlers of teen parents attending high school in nine location throughout the province. Since 1981-82, there has been a 96 percent increase in expenditures on child care grants and subsidies, and a 71 percent increase in the number of licensed child care spaces in the province. The Department licenses and regulates day care centres and family day care homes. Subsidies are provided for low income parents who cannot afford the cost of care. Approximately 85 percent of those receiving subsidies are single parent mothers.

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Article 14: Rural areas

696. Communities and rural municipalities within Saskatchewan, excluding the far north and Indian reserves, have organized themselves into 30 health districts covering 97 percent of the population under a process initiated by the Government of Saskatchewan. Health district board members will be elected, leading to greater accountability and control for district residents. In addition, each health district is undertaking a process to determine local programming priorities for residents.

697. All health districts are comprised, to varying degrees, of rural populations. Within the framework of provincial standards set by Saskatchewan Health, health districts are striving to structure needs-based and affordable services effectively and efficiently. Health districts have assumed responsibility for acute care, long term care, home care and emergency medical services provided to residents, with existing provincially delivered community health and mental health services to be provided by health districts within two years.

698. Air ambulance services are used extensively in northern Saskatchewan to ensure ready access is provided for those requiring necessary hospital and medical services.

699. A Rural Health Initiatives Fund of $10 million has been established for enhancing rural health promotion and prevention, home care and emergency services.

700. A confidential toll-free Farm Stress Line for rural and farm residents was initiated by the provincial government in February 1992. It provides counselling assistance, referrals and information specifically tailored for to needs of rural callers. The service is co-ordinated by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food and jointly implemented by the departments of Health, Social Services, Rural Development and the Farm Debt Review Boards. About one-third of callers to the service are women.

701. The Co-operatives Directorate has co-sponsored a study on the economic benefits of rural day-care, undertaken by the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan. The study will describe the status of rural day-care, examine alternatives for day-care provision and recommend a development strategy.

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Article 15: Legal rights

702. In 1994, 2 out of 9 of Saskatchewan Court of Appeal judges were women. In the same year, 4 out of 35 of Court of Queen's Bench judges were women. This is double the number of women judges in these positions in 1985.

703. In 1993, 33 out of 774 local police officers were women. In the same year, 103 out of 1140 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers in Saskatchewan were women.

704. Under a pilot project, court-based victim witness programs in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert ensure that witnesses are kept up-to-date with the circumstances of their cases and provide personal support to victim witnesses.

705. A federal-provincial-territorial working group looking into issues of gender equality within the justice system reported to the Attorney General in May 1993. The report dealt with the following areas: gender bias in the system; gender bias before the courts; the justice system and violence against women; the justice system and female offenders; substantive law bias against women; and women working in the justice system. The report contained over 200 recommendations for changes in both the civil and criminal justice system, including human rights legislation, to enhance the equality of women. Saskatchewan's Attorney General has committed to implementation of all recommendations, subject to fiscal and operational limitations. These recommendations have been shared broadly with academics, other government departments, the public and women's groups. Officials are reviewing and implementing needed changes.

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