The NDP is calling for Bev Oda to resign and there's news that women's groups may do the same.
I've tried to follow this whole story. It's a bit hard when you take care of two kids. So I've only followed this in bits and pieces.
But what I've seen from Minister Oda is very impresive. We must support this Minister.
I only watched a few minutes of her presentation in front of the Parliamentary Committee on the Status of Women.
I loved how she emphasized that Status of Women was paying 31 cents to get a dollar's worth of services, and she said that in her corporate career, paying 15 cents for such a result was only considered "satisfactory"-- meaning we're not getting good value for our money.
She spoke about how she, a member of a visible minority, in spite of the challenges, manage to make it in this world (as an executive no less). She said that when she was told she was different, and believed it, she didn't succeed. But when she asserted she was no different, she succeeded. The idea being, that if you think you're a victim, you will act like one and get the results of being a victim.
I loved how she defended REAL Women, and women of various backgrounds, saying that they should have a voice too, this after Belinda Stronach and other really dumped on REAL Women. Minister Oda, in her demure way, was oh-so-adamant about it.
There's a picture though that I find somewhat intriguing. It's a CP Picture of Bev Oda talking to Belinda Stronach:
They look kind of friendly to one another. Now mind you, you can hate another person's guts while being courteous. It's just very interesting that these two seem to be having a friendly chat although they are worlds apart on the women's issue.
Maybe it just goes to show that Minister Oda isn't the kind of woman who listens only to one side of any issue.
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