Is the government biased against women?
April 6, 2009
Many people think the McGuinty Liberals are now showing
their true face, and it isn’t pretty.
While we applaud the province’s intention to stimulate the
economy through huge investments in construction of roads, transit systems
and buildings – mostly men’s jobs -- it’s hard to understand why they could
not demonstrate the same commitment to human services.
It’s high time the McGuinty government showed that it values
service as much as it does bricks and mortar.
After all, the money paid for human services -- jobs
performed mostly by women -- is also spent in our communities. And very
often, in the case of health care, these jobs directly benefit the victims
of the recession.
For example, as the economy begins to takes its toll on
laid-off workers and their families, there is an increased need for mental
health services. One estimate is that the demand for psychiatric help has
increased 20 per cent over the past six months alone.
Unfortunately, our psychiatric hospitals have fared badly in
the endless health care restructuring over the past 15 years. Many beds were
divested to cash-strapped general hospitals.
In the field of children’s mental health, the need for new
money is most acute, as our Kids Matter campaign has shown. Families
struggling with economic instability are a direct cause of emotional
problems for children
At the same time, agencies dependent on United Way or other
charitable funds have found themselves facing a shortfall as people tighten
their belts.
Only an uncaring government would turn away from increased
funding for these services. Yet the budget passed them by.
Some critics say it shows a definite government bias against
women’s work, and I think they may be right.
In solidarity,
Warren (Smokey) Thomas
President
