Letter to Prime Minister, Mark Carney Cuts in Spending for Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)

815 St. Laurent Blvd Suite 230 Ottawa, ON, K1K 3A7
August 15, 2025

To: The Right Honourable Mark Carney, P.C, MP.
Prime Minister of Canada
Re: Cuts in Spending for Women and Gender Equality Canada

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing on behalf of CFUW (Canadian Federation of University Women), a national, self-funded organization founded in 1919. With 90 Clubs across Canada and more than 6,700 members, we work nationally and within our communities to achieve equality and social justice through continuous learning and empowerment, granting more than $1 million a year in scholarships and awards.

We are writing to you today to express our deep concern about the federal government’s proposed cuts to Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) over the next three years. CFUW has joined hundreds of organizations in expressing this concern.

According to WAGE’s 2025–26 Departmental Plan, planned spending on core responsibilities and internal services is $407,142,146 in 2025–26, $284,695,249 in 2026–27, and $76,266,802 in 2027–28. This represents an approximate 81% decrease over the three-year period. Additionally, the planned number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) is 444 in 2025–26, 314 in 2026–27, and 254 in 2027–28 representing an approximate 43% decrease over the same period.

These reductions are not a routine budget adjustment; they represent a devastating and disproportionate rollback that threatens to reverse decades of progress on gender equality in Canada. WAGE is the only federal department dedicated to advancing equality concerning sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression through the inclusion of women and 2SLGBTQI+ people in every aspect of Canada’s social, economic, and political life. No other department can fill the gap created by these planned cuts. Canadians cannot afford to abandon this work.

According to WAGE’s 2025–26 Departmental Plan, the planned funding decreases in 2026–27 and 2027–28 are primarily due to the scheduled end of time-limited initiatives from recent federal budgets. The overall uncertainty around future funding renewals makes it difficult for frontline organizations supporting survivors of gender-based violence, advancing women’s economic security, and strengthening 2SLGBTQI+ communities to plan for long-term, systemic impact.

The projected reduction in spending 2027-2028 is of particular concern when gender-based violence is rising, misogyny is intensifying, and we are witnessing a rolling back of equitable rights internationally. Many organizations are already stretched to their limits. Canadians rely on the organizations that WAGE funds to provide programming that acts as a lifeline. The proposed cuts would reduce services for people fleeing abuse, weaken support for gender-diverse and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, force small local organizations to lay off staff or shut down, and eliminate essential programs that communities across Canada rely on.

We urge the federal government to reverse these cuts and recommit to building a Canada where all people, regardless of gender, have access to safety, opportunity, and justice. In the context of the generational challenges identified in the Prime Minister’s mandate letter to Cabinet, Canada must draw on the full strength, talent, and participation of its population. We cannot leave anyone behind.

Ensuring that WAGE is well-funded and well-positioned to support the government’s priorities, whether in economic growth, national security, housing, or social infrastructure is essential. Gender equality, support for 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and protection from violence are foundational to a resilient and prosperous Canada.

Yours sincerely,
Linda Sestock
National President, CFUW
Présidente nationale, FCFDU

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CFUW- GWI Triennial Policy Session Information

ANY individual belonging to a CFUW Club may attend the Virtual August 27th CFUW Policy Session to discuss GWI matters although only voting delegates from GWI supporting clubs may vote.
All attendees must register for the session.
To register for the session, click HERE
Like the CFUW AGM Business Sessions, Club representatives will vote in this session on behalf of their Clubs.
The purpose of this session is for CFUW clubs supporting GWI to provide delegate instructions for the CFUW delegation attending the in person GWI Triennial and conference September 11-13, 2025 in Zambia.
CFUW as a NFA (National Federation or Association) is the member of GWI and has 8 votes calculated on the number of individuals in CFUW paying GWI dues. The CFUW voting delegates or alternates will cast those 8 votes at the upcoming Triennial General Assembly based on the results from the Virtual August 27th- CFUW policy session to discuss GWI matters. The delegation votes as a single block.

Voting at the GWI Policy Session
If your Club is in good standing – that is, it has paid its 2025 dues and is in compliance with CFUW Bylaws – it is entitled to vote on business arising at the upcoming GWI Policy Session.

In order to cast the votes to which your Club is entitled, your Club MUST either:
A. Appoint a Club Delegate who will be attending the GWI Policy Session, OR
B. Appoint a Proxy – someone outside your club who will be attending the GWI Policy Session and who will act on your Club's behalf, if there is no Club member to attend.

Who can be a Proxy?
Your club can appoint anyone to serve as its proxy. Often, clubs choose to give their proxy to their Regional Director or a delegate from another club.
In light of technical limitations, delegates can only vote on behalf of ONE CFUW Club.

What is the credentials process?
A. In order to vote, the Club delegate/proxy must ensure that they have submitted the completed credential/proxy form to the national office.
B. This form must be completed to name either your Club's authorized delegate OR its authorized proxy.
C. The Club Officer must submit the form by August 15th, 2025. The National Office will confirm the information on this form, and ensure that the delegate is allotted the proper number of votes to which your Club is entitled.

How many votes is our Club entitled to?
The number of votes your Club is entitled to cast is based on the number of members your Club reported and for which CFUW dues were paid at the most recent CFUW year-end.

Credentials and Proxy Form: (Formulaire d’accréditation) Must be filled out by Club’s representative by August 15th, 2025. THIS FORM IS FOR VOTING DELEGATES ONLY. IF YOU ARE NOT VOTING PLEASE DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM.

Signed form to be sent to Elizabeth Malcolm at memberservices@cfuw-fcfdu.ca by August 18th, 2025

Register for the MANDATORY Election Buddy voter training:

Session 2: August 18th 7pm EST

Reminder: CFUW GWI E-Blast: August 12th, 2025

GWI Triennial Updates: Advocacy Policy Discussion prior to the General Assembly

Any suggested amendments to the advocacy policy resolutions will be shared with the proposing NFA. The Official Voting Delegate from any NFA will have an opportunity to discuss the proposed amendment to the policy resolution with the proposing NFA and the Resolutions Committee.

This discussion will be held at virtual meetings (time zone appropriate) ahead of the GA at 0700hrs and 1700hrs CEST on 19 August 2025. Register for the 0700hrs CEST session HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84506815453?pwd=4gW8x1DKCOb1Gz86RRPZwGbQutBdtJ.1

Register for the 1700hrs CEST session HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84788777172?pwd=PGuksL8UlY1JJi35IkGgL6qmLo2QYZ.1

Final revisions to constitutional amendment language were made at the July 14th, 2025 GWI virtual meeting.

Circular #9: Graduate Women International (GWI) Resolutions Committee: 2025 Policy Resolutions Amendments

Draft Schedule for the 2026 Montreal AGM and Conference.

Please note: this is a draft schedule and is subject to change, although arrival and departure dates will remain the same.

Monday, July 20th, 2026: Arrivals, Registration, First Timers Meet and Greet (PM).

Tuesday, July 21st, 2026: Arrivals, Registration, Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) Tours/Excursions around Montreal (TBD). Full day trip and half day excursions will be available. Opening ceremonies dinner.

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2026: Regional Meetings, AGM Session, Member Led Sessions.

Thursday, July 24th, 2026: Policy Session, Member Led Sessions. Hosted Dinner with LAC.

Friday, July 25th, 2026: Conference Keynotes & Speakers and Sessions. Check-Out and Departure (PM).

Please note: CFUW Sherbrooke will be planning post-AGM and Conference activities/events for all day Saturday, July 26th and returning delegates to the airport by 3 pm Sunday, July 27th - in time for late afternoon flights.

More information to follow as the 2026 CFUW AGM & Conference schedule is confirmed.

2026 CFUW Policy Session Resolution Intents

This notice is to advise Clubs, Councils and Committees that the due date for Intents to write a resolution for the 2026 Policy Session will be October 23, 2025. The Intent submission includes a proposed title/topic and a short paragraph explaining what the resolution is about.

An updated Resolutions Information and Guidelines 2025-2026, including the full schedule for resolutions will be ready for reference in early September. In the interim the current Resolutions Information and Guidelines 2024-2025 remains active as the guiding resource for writing a Resolution Intent.

Save the Date: 2025-2027 International Service Project Launches September 5th!

Young, Happy, Healthy & Safe - Zambia

The 2025-2027 International Service Project is with our new partner the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Over the upcoming year, our goal is to raise $15,000 from CFUW Clubs and members to support girls learning about sexual and reproductive health in rural Eastern Zambia. Education for girls on health and rights information can help protect them from early marriage and pregnancy, gender-based violence, HIV infection, caregiving responsibilities and other determinants that directly impact their quality of life.

The project details are being finalized: more information about the project and links to a donation webpage are available on our website.

A number of our members attending the 35th GWI Triennial General Assembly and Conference this September in Zambia will be visiting our project partners as part of their travel plans. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for our Club to connect in the field with the Stephen Lewis Foundation at their project sites.

We are also hosting a webinar on the project with the Stephen Lewis Foundation on October 1, 2025 at 6pm ET. Mark this date in your calendars to learn much more about this exciting new project and hear about our member’s experiences in Zambia.

Elizabeth Malcolm will be hosting biweekly (every two weeks) drop-in sessions for the CFUW Members Drive and CFUW Members Database. We cover topics such as: how to update Club Executive information, event calendar submissions, resources available in the Members Drive and so much more!

Have you checked out the new CFUW Event Calendar? It’s jam packed with CFUW Committee meetings, Club Events, and important dates from the National Office!

Clubs are encouraged to submit their events to the CFUW National Event Calendar through the CFUW Member Database.

Learn more HERE

Tickets can be purchased HERE

GWI Update - August 13th, 2025

Do you want your Club’s newsletter shared in the CFUW Club Action newsletter? Send your newsletter to Elizabeth Malcolm at memberservices@cfuw-fcfdu.ca

CFUW London - August 2025

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