MacKay slammed for sexism
Two justice ministers take swipe at comments on moms, dads, judges
Two provincial justice ministers took a swipe at their federal counterpart Wednesday, denouncing Peter MacKay’s recent comments about female judges as outdated and inaccurate.
MacKay’s views on professional men and women have faced scrutiny over the past week — most recently a pair of messages sent on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day that some felt stereotyped parental roles.
But the controversy began with a private meeting with members of the Ontario Bar Association earlier this month. The Toronto Star reported last week that MacKay attributed the dearth of women on the federal bench to the fact female candidates weren’t applying.
He went on to explain that reticence by saying women feared being sent to work as judges on the circuit courts, the Star reported, quoting lawyers who were at the meeting.
MacKay has not denied the Star’s characterization of the comments. In a Facebook post, he emphasized he has been trying to encourage the appointment of more women.
A pair of women who have risen to two of the most important legal positions in the country took issue with MacKay’s comments.
“It’s very unfortunate that in 2014 you hear comments like this, especially from the minister of justice, especially at a time when Ontario has elected the first woman as premier in Ontario,” Attorney General and Ottawa MPP Madeleine Meilleur said.
“It’s difficult for the female community in Ontario to accept a comment like this.”
Quebec Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee called MacKay’s com- ments “deplorable.”
“It’s now 2014 in Canada,” Vallee said.
MacKay’s Mother’s Day and Father’s Day emails, obtained by The Canadian Press, have added to the discussion about the minister’s view of gender roles.
In one, MacKay salutes moms for juggling two full-time jobs — home and work.
The Father’s Day message was quite different, making no mention of any household duties, but saying the men were “shaping the minds and futures of the next generation of leaders.”
When asked about the messages during an event in Quebec, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he didn’t agree with the interpretation they were sexist.
“The clear objective of my government since our arrival in power has been to increase the participation of women in leadership positions, not only in the public sector but also in the private sector,” Harper told a joint news conference with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.