• “Supports the full participation of women in the social, economic, and cultural life of Canada” (1)


• During this election, declined to participate in a women’s issues debate organized by Up For Debate (6)


• Did not participate in the one-on-one interviews organized by Up for Debate (28)

• Emphasizes the importance of research and advocacy as a means of advancing women’s equality (9)


• Initially agreed to take part in the Up for Debate women’s issues debate, but ultimately pulled out, having pledged only to participate in debates where Prime Minister Harper is present (6)


• Participated in the one-on-one interviews organized by Up for Debate (28)

• Promotes “the equal participation of men and women at all levels of the Party” and to that end, consults and works with the National Women’s Liberal Commission (13)


• Confirmed attendance for the Up for Debate women’s issues debate before it was cancelled (6)


• Participated in the one-on-one interviews organized by Up for Debate (28)

• Believes “women’s equality is fundamental to a just society” (20)


• Confirmed attendance for the Up for Debate women’s issues debate before it was cancelled (6)


• Participated in the one-on-one interviews organized by Up for Debate (28)

On Women in Government

• Women make up 18% of nominated Conservative candidates in this election (58 of 315) (7)


• Over 40% of senior executives in the Harper government are women (29)


• Cut government funding to Status of Women Canada, resulting in the elimination of 12 of 16 Status of Women Canada offices as well as its associated $1 million Independent Research Fund (3)


• Cut funding for dozens of women’s service providers engaged in advocacy and lobbying (3)

• Women make up 42% of nominated New Democrat candidates (119 of 281) (7)


• Promises to introduce a 50% female quota for the boards of directors of federal organizations (33)


• Supports women’s political participation and believes changes in the electoral system and consultation with women’s advocacy groups in public policy will remove obstacles they face (9)


• Applies gender-based analysis to public policy (9)

• Women make up 31% of nominated Liberal candidates (97 of 315) (7)


• Will create a 50% quota for women in the Cabinet of a Liberal government (37)


• Will “ensure meaningful gender-based analysis in cabinet decision making” and public policy (11)


• Promises to appoint an equal number of women and men to cabinet and is committed to “gender parity in government appointments” (7)


• Believes that changing our voting system away from first-past-the-post would lead to greater participation for women (34)

• Women make up 32% of nominated Green party candidates (55 of 173) (7)


• Supports greater participation of women in politics and will apply equal opportunity to government positions (20, 7)


• Believes that changing our voting system away from first-past-the-post would lead to greater participation for women (34)


• Plans to re-establish funding for Status of Women Canada as well as for other women’s organizations and advocacy groups (20, 32)

On Women in the Workplace

• Believes in the right to freedom from discrimination and to equality of opportunity in the workplace, as well as equal pay for equal work (1)


• Implemented the Action Plan for Women Entrepreneurs, making a $700-million fund available for women to grow their businesses, and promises to continue to do so (7,8)

• Believes in the promotion of women’s economic equality through pay equity, unionization, and improvements in employment insurance (9)


• Plan to improve parental leave benefits and to create one million new childcare spaces costing no more than $15 a day (9, 7)

• Plans to increase the tax-free child benefit payment from around $338 per child per month to up to $533 per child per month (7, 22)


• Wants to introduce new parental leave options that allow for more flexibility and security (14)


• Promises that all employees covered by federal labour law are legally able to ask their employers for workday flexibility (14)

• Promises to immediately enact pay equity for women employees in the federal sector and put forth pay-equity legislation extending to other sectors (7)


• Plans to implement a universal child care program and develop work re-entry program for women with children who want to return to the workforce (7, 20)


• Believes that child-care should be made a part of the workplace to ensure that parents can take their children to child care and go to work at the same time (32)

On Aboriginal Women

• Opposes a national inquiry into the missing and murdered Aboriginal women on that grounds that to hold another study or inquiry, on top of the 40 related studies already completed, will be less effective than increased policing and investigation (23, 24, 25)


• Provided funding for shelters on reserves and pledges to continue this practice, promising $92.5 million over five years as part of the Family Violence Prevention Program (2,3)

• Pledges to launch an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women within 100 days of taking office (7)

• Pledges to launch an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women, seeking recommendations for government action and law enforcement (7, 12)

• Pledges to launch a full inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women (6)


• Believes that the elimination of institutional racism is key to ending violence and abuse facing Aboriginal women (19)

On Violence Against Women

• Invested money in additional violence-prevention programs and increased funding to law enforcement to enable them to tackle criminal actions such as violence against women (29)


• Supports legislation that ensures individuals who commit violence against a pregnant woman face additional charges if the unborn child is harmed (1)

• Promises to develop a national action plan with "dedicated funding and benchmarks" to end violence against women and girls (10)


• Will provide the federal Shelter Enhancement Program with $40-million in new funding over 4 years for the construction and maintenance of shelters for victims of family violence (10, 30, 34)

• Believes that Canada must continue to fight gender-based violence at home and abroad until it is no longer tolerated (17)


• Believes that the federal government should act as a partner to municipal and provincial problems to create their own women’s shelter plans (34)

• Will create a national strategy to deal with violence against women and deal with it as a societal and social problem (33)


• Promises to increase funding for women's crisis centres and shelters, as well as educational programs that build healthy attitudes toward women, by working with provincial and municipal governments (19)

On Abortion

• In 2011, pledged not to reopen the abortion debate or introduce any changes in abortion legislation  (4,5)

• Aims to “ensure equal access to safe, fully funded reproductive health services for all women” (7)

• Pledges to ensure all incoming Liberal MPs support abortion rights (7, 15, 31)

• Supports a woman’s right to choose and intends to further develop programs dealing with reproductive rights and education on how to avoid unwanted pregnancies (20)

On Women Around the World

• Pledged $3.5 billion over five years (2015-2020) aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality and improving access to healthcare for mothers and children around the world (26, 27)


• Has and continues to work on fighting child and forced marriage internationally; committed an additional $10 million in the Fall of 2014 (27, 29)


• Pledges to protect the rights of women abroad by campaigning against groups like Islamic State (7, 29)

• Believes in “using all diplomatic and political means to protect human rights and help those facing persecution, including […] women” (9)


• Believes that family planning, reproductive and sexual health, including abortion services, must be included in Canada’s approach to maternal and child health internationally (35)

• Promises to prioritize the empowerment of women in the developing world in its development assistance (18)

• Supports “increased funding for sexual and reproductive health rights, including the rights of women and girls to have access to contraceptive information, services, and supplies, without coercion or discrimination” (21)