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President's
Message
The beginning
of a new year always carries with it some excitement. This is especially
true for REAL Women. For several months, our Ottawa staff searched
for new office space. The building we were in had been sold and
our lease terminated, much to our regret. Fortunately, we found
a new office within a 15-minute walk from the Parliament buildings;
however, the rent is higher because of a scarcity of available office
units.
Now that we
are settled in our new quarters we must take time to reflect on
this past year and assess our work.
Last February,
an Alert was mailed to all members regarding Bill C-23, the Bill
that placed common-law and homosexual couples on equal footing with
married couples. The Alert updated you about the issue and urged
you to call, write or fax your MP.
To further
express our deep concern about this Bill, on March 14, REAL Women
organized a protest on Parliament Hill. Also, on the same day, we
presented a brief to the House of Commons. Then again on May 31,
another brief was presented to the Standing Senate Committee. REAL
Women, with the help of other pro-family groups, can take credit
for Justice Minister Anne McLellan's decision to add to Bill C-23
an interpretation clause (albeit weak) defining marriage.
REAL Women
submitted several other briefs to the government throughout the
year. On March 30, we presented a brief entitled, "Child Victims
and the Criminal Justice System: A Consultation Paper" to the
Department of Justice.
On May 15,
we had the opportunity to address Bill C-32, with our brief entitled,
"An Act to Implement Certain Provisions of the Budget tabled
in Parliament on February 28, 2000." Even though we were given
only two working day's notice to prepare, we were not deterred and
presented a pro-family analysis of the budget.
On May 30,
a brief entitled, "An Act Respecting genocide, crimes against
humanity and war crimes, and to implement the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court, and to make consequential amendments
to other Acts," was presented to the House of Commons Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This brief
addressed Bill C-19 in which Canada adopted the International Criminal
Court and agreed to surrender to the jurisdiction of the Court many
Canadian sovereignty rights and protections for individual Canadians.
The final
brief of the year was presented on September 1, to the House of
Commons Finance Committee. We were part of the Pre-Budget Consultation
for the 2001 federal budget. Once again, we stated our policy and
reminded the government that the proper role of the state is to
encourage and promote family life, since the stable family is the
most efficient and effective welfare, educational and health unit
in society.
A Maritime
tour to promote REAL Women was organized during the summer months,
and on October 15 the successful venture was begun.
In November,
an election questionnaire was mailed to members, to aid them in
choosing an MP with your values. The results of the election have
made it clear that we obviously need more members of REAL Women
in Ontario and the East, a concern that was addressed by the Maritime
tour. A number of similar initiatives are planned for the future.
Most of our
work has been accomplished by volunteers and you, my dear members,
must be the judge about whether we've done enough. One thing is
certain, REAL Women will continue to be a persistent voice for the
family with your support and encouragement.
Have a Happy
and prosperous New Year. May God bless you.
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