4. Information Control and Access

“We would like to invite NAC, in conjunction with the other cosponsoring organizations, to form a coalition to pursue a study of the issues as they relate to information control and access, specifically where women are concerned. Five of our members are interested in contributing to such a coalition. They are: Dorothy Richardson and Liz Stimpson from Edmonton, Alberta; Flora Patterson, Jean Higginson and Daphne McCree, all from Ontario.

Individual actions, which could be taken by all women, include lobbying for legislation requiring public and private institutions to report at regular intervals to all those on whom they have records in their data base(s), indicating what information is being held. Suggestions for legislation should be included in conference workshops, women's groups meetings, letters to MPs, etc.

We can encourage institutions to become aware of our concerns by insisting on putting limitations on the use of personal information when we give it. As well, each of us should collect information on the data base systems in her area and get involved in the development process, so as to have an influence on regulations. We must become familiar with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, and use the legislation as it was intended, to find out what is on 'file' on each of us. ”

5. Changing Employment Patterns

“ The group arrived at strategies for both individuals and groups. On an individual level, participants were urged:

• To establish and/or get involved in workplace micro technology committees as soon as possible, to inform and educate co-workers on upcoming changes and how to deal with them.

• Those who are union members should pressure their executive members to initiate measures for education of members on microtechnology.

• We must all continue consciousness raising activities wherever we are, especially among pre-teen and teenage girls, and among low-income workers who suffer from lack of confidence and other problems related to being in the margins of the labour force.

• We can all write to federal and provincial ministers of labour, calling for affirmative-action plans and contract compliance. Proposals for group action include: