October 18, 2024

Check against delivery

Congratulations to all the recipients of the Governor General’s Awards in Commemoration of the Persons Case.

95 years ago, thanks to the courage of five brilliant Albertan women, Canada’s highest court of appeal officially recognized women as “persons”.

This decision was a big leap forward for women’s participation in public and political life.

It also paved the way to universal access to the vote—although, for Indigenous women, this happened much later.

The fight for gender equality is like a long climb up a mountain. It takes hard work and there are wins, big and small. But there are countless obstacles and setbacks, too.

When I started my career, I was sometimes the only woman in the room. Today, I’m so happy to see women thriving in all spheres of Canada’s economic, democratic and cultural life.

There is greater support for working parents, such as job-protected parental leave and accommodations for work-life balance.

But many inequalities persist.

The gender wage gap is still here.

Women are still under-represented in politics, in science and technology, and in the business world. Indigenous women encounter unique barriers to employment due to the impact of colonization. Immigrant and racialized women are more likely to face discrimination, as well as difficulties in having their skills or education recognized in the labour market.

Also, I regret having to say that gender-based violence is an ongoing issue in Canada. And in recent years, we have seen a surge in online abuse against women, girls and gender minorities.

I experienced it first-hand. And sadly, I know some of you have been the target of online abuse, too.

It is a distressing reality that drives many to give up on civic engagement and public life, at a time when we need more diversity in our leadership.

It’s time we changed the harmful norms and behaviours that contribute to this issue.

We need to raise awareness, promote inclusion and help create safer online spaces for all.

Let’s draw inspiration from the fighting spirit of the Famous Five.

Let’s remember the words of Magistrate Emily Murphy, who said: “Whenever I don’t know whether to fight or not, I fight.”

I know all of you embody this important legacy.

Your contributions fill me with hope.

From defending the human rights of queer, cis and trans women and girls, to improving women’s health …

… from helping survivors of violence, to supporting women in science and politics …

… you have shown us that change is possible. 

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Marlene Catterall in August. Her voice in our political landscape and on the international stage was imbued with a thirst for social justice and inclusion. I would like to offer my most sincere condolences to her husband and family.

Congratulations to all of you on this well-deserved honour.

We still have many mountains to climb. But I am confident we will continue to move towards gender equality and create a better society, for all of us.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.