GOVERNMENT OF CANADA EMPOWERS WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

OTTAWA, Nov. 30 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, the Honourable Senator Nicole Eaton, (Ontario), today announced Government of Canada support for a project that will address the priority issues of advancing women's participation in leadership and decision-making roles, and strengthening their economic security and prosperity.

"We are proud of the contributions women are making in Canada's media industry. There are women anchors headlining major broadcast news, and women columnists, bloggers and experts voicing their opinions, knowledge and advice, using various media outlets," said Minister Ambrose. "Our government is proud to support this ground-breaking project that ensures women continue to have a strong voice and a leadership role in the media, national public discourse and decision-making."

"Our government believes it is important to create opportunities for women's voices to be heard and to strengthen the skills and confidence of women who have so much to share with Canadians," said Senator Eaton. "This project will provide women with specific skills training, including media relations, to ensure that their expertise and experiences are appropriately reflected in our media."

Media Action (National Watch on Images of Women in the Media) is receiving $115,000 for the 18-month project entitled Informed Opinions. This project is increasing women's leadership capacities and career opportunities by providing women experts with the skills they need to better share their knowledge through print, broadcast and online information media. Among its planned results, the project will create an online database, through which journalists can find and contact women experts for various opinion and commentary pieces.

"We are very pleased to have the Government of Canada's support for this innovative project, which will empower women experts from across Ontario," said Ms. Shari Graydon, Catalyst of Informed Opinions on behalf of Media Action. "This 18-month project provides 200 women from four communities in Ontario - all experts in their various fields of endeavour - with the skills and confidence they need to share their knowledge with news media. Participants will gain skills in such areas as writing and delivering informed commentary, thereby increasing the number of women experts whose voices will be heard in the news media."

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting worthwhile projects like these because they yield concrete results for women and girls in Canada while strengthening our families, our communities and our country. Through Status of Women Canada, the government's support for community projects like this has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, growing from $10.8 million to $19 million, its highest level ever.

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to www.swc-cfc.gc.ca.

For further information:

Rebecca Thompson Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Public Works and          Government Services and Minister for Status of Women 819 997-5421

Nanci-Jean Waugh Director General, Communications and      Strategic Planning Status of Women Canada 613 995-7839