Strong Women Lead to a Stronger Canada

“Today is International Women’s Day. This year’s theme, ‘Strong Women, Strong Canada, Canadian Women – Creating Jobs One Business at a Time,’ could not be more fitting as we look at the important contributions of women in Canada. Today, women are business and community leaders and can accomplish anything.

“Throughout our country’s history, Canadian women have shone on the world stage and have been a force of positive change around the world – women from Agnes Macphail, Canada’s first female Member of Parliament, to Louise Arbour, a former Supreme Court Justice and Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, to Nancy Greene, our Female Athlete of the 20^th Century.

“Canada is attracting women from abroad who possess strong leadership skills and have the expertise that our economy and labour market need. Our government is ensuring that recently landed women have the tools they need to become active members of their communities by providing them with support.

“As Canadians, we can be proud of the strength, passion and dedication that women demonstrate each and every day at home and at work – especially when faced with adversity.

“As Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, I acknowledge the resounding contributions of Canadian women and immigrant women who have come to Canada to build a better life. On International Women’s Day, our government is making a commitment to support women in every step of their lives, whether it’s support for business leaders or urgent help for those who face violence or abuse. I am dedicated to empowering the women of Canada and know that they can achieve new heights of success, as they flourish in our provinces and territories, our cities and communities.

“Women have bolstered Canada and their fellow Canadians in all facets of civil society. This is a day to celebrate both the success of Canadian women and, indeed, women all over the world.”