Anger increases at the Conservatives for killing the Court Challenges Program

It was very apparent, Wednesday, when I attended the review of the impact of 20 years of the Charter of Rights and Freedom on Manitoba Women, that there was considerable frustration at the actions of the federal Conservatives to kill the Court Challenges Program. This program has been very important for helping clearly establish the rights of women under the Charter. Its absence will make it more difficult to test the application of the Charter to women's equality issues in the courts.

Only a few months ago, during the last federal election campaign, Stephen Harper promised to “take concrete and immediate measures…to ensure that Canada fully upholds its commitments to women.” By cutting the Court Challenges Program Stephen Harper and the federal Conservatives have clearly shown their disregard for women and women's rights (and also minority rights) in Canada.