Milestone event marking Women's right to vote opens at the Canadian Museum of History

MONTREAL, Oct. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Dignitaries and government gathered at the Canadian Museum of History located in Hull, Quebec last Wednesday to witness firsthand the unveiling of an important milestone in Canadian women's history called "We're clicking! Let's Explore 100 Years of Women's Voting with Germaine," an important project created by L' Association de la presse francophone (APF), with its partners, the Quebec Community Newspapers Association (QCNA) and the Canadian Museum of History.

"The project "We're clicking!" is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of women's suffrage and women's struggle for a society more egalitarian," said APF President Francis Sonier. "It is a great honour for the APF to present such a project and to commemorate our exceptional women."

The project launch also coincided with a launch of an exhibition at the Museum of Manitoba "Nice women do not want to vote." Manitoba women became the first in Canada to win both the right to vote and to hold provincial office.

Despite another commitment, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau conveyed a message to the guests. "We have made significant progress over the years but our work is far from over. It is incumbent upon all of us to reduce stigma and advance the rights of women and girls. As Canadians, we simply must do more to build a more equal world."

Also attending the launch was Mark O'Neill, chairman and CEO, Canadian Museum of History; Randy Boissonnault, the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage; Anju Dhillon, Member of Parliament for Dorval-Lachine-Lasalle and Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women; and Roland Sawatzky, Curator of History, the Manitoba Museum. Germaine herself showed up.

"To launch a project like this and to be a part of its development is an honour for all our members and for all Canadians," said Richard Tardif, QCNA's Executive Director. The project, funded mostly by the Department of Canadian Heritage, moves to the next phase engaging Canada's elementary and secondary schools though a competition.

To learn more about "We're clicking! "Visit the website www.clique-clicking.ca.

L'Association de la presse francophone est reconnue comme la voix officielle de la presse écrite et électronique franco-canadienne. Progressiste et incontournable, son influence, son leadership et ses services à l'avant-garde de l'industrie contribuent significativement à l'essor de ses publications membres.

The Quebec Community Newspapers Association (QCNA) is dedicated to the professional and economic development of English community newspapers and their enterprises serving minority communities in Quebec. The federal and provincial governments recognize the QCNA as the official representative of Quebec's official language community. The association's English and bilingual publications distribute weekly, biweekly, monthly and daily to some 770,000 readers across the province.

SOURCE Quebec Community Newspapers Association (QCNA)

Léo Bourdon, Gestionnaire des communications et de projets spéciaux, Association de la presse francophone, Courriel : [email protected]; Richard Tardif, Executive Director, Quebec Community Newspapers Association, [email protected]