-0 humiversal baby bonus system and re- dit witha complex system of benefits which ll give some lower-income families with one work- » parent a few more hundred dollars per year.

it families on social assistance, most of whom are ‘single mothers, will get the same amount of ben- efits they now get.

“The only positive news for women in the budget, the increased tax benefit for low income women, is coun- tered by the death of family allowance,’’ said Judy

ge, spokesperson for the NAC.

latest of several Tory attacks against womenisa

nto scrap an immigration program, which allows

estic workers to apply for landed immigrant

us after two years. The status ensures that do-

mestic workers -- who are mostly women from Third ‘orld countries -- are not forced to work with tempo-

visas and therefore more vulnerable to employ-

s’ exploitation and abuse.

As for the federal government’s constitutional pro- J0sal calling for the distribution of power to the vinces and the creation of an economic union, men’s groups fear that this could allow both the provincial and federal governments to phase out legislation ensuring sexual or social equality and the right to eliminate minimum wage and rent control laws.

nd although it is impossible to compile the number {jobs women lost through the combined effects of the free trade deal and the recession, women’s groups aid the government has turned a blind eye to assess- Ng how these policies specifically affect women.

“*There’s no proof that a few officials got together and decided let’s get rid of women for the work force. but that doesn’t make the government any less respon- sible for not taking into account changes in the economy and technical restructuring in the work force,’’ said Ritchie.

However, government officials did recently get to- gether and decided to limit retroactive pay equity payments for women working in the public sector. The Canadian Human Rights Commission has vowed to pursue the pay equity complaints, which date back to 1979 and amount to $1 billion.

Union officials have said that the recession, free trade, and the structural and technical changes in the economy, do affect women differently than they do men.

**Women who are dumped out of the manufacturing industry generally land in pick ghetto clerical work or have to find part-time work,’’ said Alice de Wolfe of the NAC.

So far, the Conservative government’s approach to women’s issues has been to set up token committees and commissions. For example, the National Com- mission on Violence against Women, which was struck up last summer, is overshadowed by other commissions such as the $25-million Keith Spicer Commission, a Tory public relations road show.

‘*It’s really insulting that they gave the Commission

so little money and attention for an issue that affects all women, ‘‘ said Julie Bessette for Quebec’s Centre surla Violence Feminine.

a ee A RE Oy eek RRR AREA: = NI

| Ghats

*

Lebanese & Canadian Cuisine

Family Restaurant —

Licensed

Daily Lunch Specials

lnnch, sour and coffee

Merday ta th ride, a dag other popular Lebanese dishes such as Falafel ($3.25), Shawarma ($4.39) and Shish Taos (84.25)

Also .

nesduy S99 {5,99

* Sradenis receive LO% offmain dishes*

(mustpresentStudcatl D. before ordering) Locatedinthe Ellis Bros,Sherwood Shopping Center

tel: 628-1919

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