In our recent CharityVillage Connects podcast episode, Post-Election Wake-Up Call: What Canada’s New Federal Government Means for Nonprofits, nonprofit leaders and government relations experts joined us to discuss how the recent Liberal win under the leadership of Mark Carney might impact nonprofits across the country.
We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Mitzie Hunter, President and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation, to join us as part of this podcast episode. We’re pleased to present a short excerpt of the interview with Mitzie here. We hope you enjoy it!
We kicked off the interview by asking Mitzie for her thoughts on what issues are top of mind for her right now, politically.
Mitzie Hunter: I believe that nonprofits should be right at the table when it comes to policy development as we move forward. And we at the Canadian Women’s Foundation recognize that 80% of the nonprofit sector’s workers are women. And so, we are very keen to listen to what the sector is saying and to offer and lend our support where possible.
We actually have just spent the last several weeks looking at the last 10 years and reflecting on the progress that we have made and how we ensure that we don’t lose ground in any way and, in fact, continue to advance the sector and the things that really make a difference to the lives of people in this country. We recognize, as you said in your opening, that a day can make a big difference when it comes to politics and when it comes to even just the situation in the world, but we know what is constant is that people in communities will continue to need support from the services provided by the nonprofit sector, and it’s important that we maintain a strong voice in that regard.
Our research is publicly available on our website, and people can access it anytime. And one of the things that we at the Canadian Women’s Foundation are very focused on is that gender lens. It’s 51% of Canada’s population, and it’s important that we see that the social infrastructure across our country has investments, it continues to be a vital part of our public realm. And think about it in terms of affordable childcare. This was a major policy shift that was brought on board, certainly in the last decade. It was fought for for many decades, in fact, by the sector. But it’s now here, and it’s making a big difference in terms of women’s labour force participation in the job market. And that’s actually contributing to the gross domestic product of the country. And so we can see that that’s a win-win in terms of public policy. It gives families choice in terms of participation in the labour market and the labour market benefits as a result.
Housing is also one of those other really critical sectors that affects people’s affordability, where they choose to live and work, and we feel that that should continue to be a priority. Decent jobs. And I already mentioned that 80% of the nonprofit sector is women, and we want to see those decent jobs put in place and that women have an equal access to those jobs so that we can close that gender wage gap that we’re very well aware of… Also, equal pay, that will go a long way. So these are some of the gendered issues that I feel are important at this time. We can’t lose sight of that despite the fact that we’ve made the gains because women are part of the economy, a vital part of the economy, and no conversation should be happening about the economy without them at the table.
Next, Mitzie discussed her thoughts on how the Canadian federal approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion might evolve under Mark Carney’s Liberal government.
Mitzie Hunter: It’s a really important question because when Prime Minister Carney first took the role, there was sort of this immediate cabinet that was set up. Some called it a wartime cabinet because we were fighting the tariff war. But notably, the WAGE Department, the Women and Gender Equity Department, was missing at the table. This was the first time in over 50 years that there was not an explicit voice at the cabinet table…this was a miss, and the sector spoke up about it and let our voices be heard. Other organizations, as well, throughout the country, joined forces and said that this is not acceptable. There was an open letter signed by over 400 organizations. So, just a few weeks ago, with the new cabinet established, we see a full position at the table, and that shows that the government is listening, that the new prime minister is listening when we speak up. And that’s an important signal for the sector to continue to let our voices be heard, and it’s important that we have access at the table.
And with Minister Rechie Valdez, I know that if there are issues that come up, we have a person there that we can talk to and that would understand where the sector is coming from. And this is important. It’s important that our government listens and makes corrections. I know from being at those tables that you don’t have all the information.
We asked Mitzie to share one policy file or issue that she thinks isn’t getting enough attention post-election, but that will impact nonprofits significantly in the years to come.
Mitzie Hunter: Just one, Mary? I think that the care economy is one that, I believe, has done quite a service. And when we think about the pandemic and we think about who we relied on, those that provided personal care, hands-on work, braved all of the risks on our behalf while we stayed home, I do think it’s time we turn our attention to the care economy, recognize it, and find ways to make sure that the pay, the working conditions are recognized and are boosted…if we have an aging population, looking at care from all sides and all aspects is something that needs and deserves attention and I believe the returns will be invaluable across our society.
In fact, women provide the care, whether it’s in paid or unpaid work across our society, the majority of it. And so we see this as an area that will boost and close the gender pay gap that we see that’s been so persistent. And so there’s tremendous opportunity in that space as well. I’m so honoured, I was asked to chair the sectoral table on the caring economy, which will explore all aspects of a national caregiving strategy. So, still waiting for the new minister and the appointments, and now that the mandate letters have gone out to hopefully recall the work so that we can begin in earnest to provide some good advice in that area.
Mitzie closed the interview by sharing some advice for nonprofit leaders on how to best position themselves with the new Liberal government.
Mitzie Hunter: So nonprofits should, I believe, see themselves as a vital part of the Canadian economy, of the political landscape, and really prioritize the issues because we can’t do everything. And I hear that signal from this current government, that it’s not going to do everything. So, prioritize the issues, those that are most important, most impactful, provide the solutions and how you will work in partnership with government to solve those issues and what differences it’s going to make for people. And don’t do it alone. Work with others. And we see that when we work with others and we’re clear about the issues that the government listens.
I also want to say, as a nonprofit leader, your team is important as well, and making sure that you check in on your team, how are they doing, their wellness. Because oftentimes they’re at the frontline. They’re at the frontline of the issues that we’re trying to solve. And they might have their own worries about what’s happening in the current economy and with the various threats that might be affecting them as well. So checking in on each other, I think, is something that is really important.
And so, you know, the job is ahead of us. I want people to have a sense of hope, even in these very difficult times that we are in, and know that we are in this together and you’re not working alone. And I really want to say thank you to CharityVillage for giving us this platform for charities and for nonprofits to really dive into the issues, learn from each other, and to let our voices be heard.
Want to hear more from Mitzie Hunter? Listen to her full interview in the video below.
Listen to Mitzie Hunter and other sector experts discuss important political ramifications for the nonprofit sector in our episode exploring what the Liberal government means for Canada’s nonprofit sector. Click here to listen.
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