City looks to create women’s committee

Edmonton is working to change Alberta’s position as the only area in Canada without a civic or provincial women’s advisory committee.

The idea came out of three events Mayor Stephen Mandel arranged over the last two years where more than 700 women from various backgrounds discussed issues affecting them.

A more formal committee or council, meeting regularly, could advise the city and other levels of government on topics that concern women, speakers told city council’s community services committee Tuesday.

“We will be a (link) between all organizations and the City of Edmonton,” said former citizenship court judge Sonia Bitar.

“We want to make sure the voice of women isn’t forgotten. … We want them to be engaged to the fullest in life in Edmonton.”

City staff will spend the next year developing an action plan for the proposed volunteer committee, which Bitar said could deal with such areas as women’s safety.

She was a member of the Alberta Status of Women Action Committee, formed in 1976 to study issues affecting women and lobby for change. The committee shut down in 1997.

Other issues the new group might study include ways to attract more late-night female transit riders and why more women don’t participate in the city’s community consultations, Coun. Amarjeet Sohi said.

“People may think ‘Why a women’s committee?’ I think there are real challenges out there that as a municipality we need to overcome.”

Coun. Don Iveson hopes the group helps reduce barriers so young people of both genders participate more in politics. “As the father of a young daughter, I think about these issues.”