Alberta

ALBERTA In Alberta the major focus has been on the Women's Education Research Project in Edmonton. This Project is funded by the NEEDS Program of C.E.I.C. and officially began in August with the hiring of a co-ordinator and researchers. Project funds are being paid to the University of Alberta to release Marilyn Assheton-Smith, a local CCLOW member, from her teaching responsibilities in one of her courses in Educational Foundations in order that she may act as consultant to the Project. A sub-committee of CCLOW - Edmonton is responsible for aiding in under- taking of the W.E.R.P. The Project is located in Everywoman's Place in order to assist Edmonton's women's centre financially.

W.E.R.P. will research and document the experiences of women in terms of education and training and the relationship of these to employment. Related policy concerns will also be researched, for example adult basic education and the National Training Act.

The Women's Education Research Project operates on a collective basis and the research design is being developed in process. The first stage of research is now underway and includes the gathering of existing statistics and available data from which to discern possible patterns for women. The second stage is the development of questionnaires to be used as a basis for interviews of women and of men for comparative data.

The Project may be contacted at the following address if anyone has material that would be useful : C.C.L.O.W. Women's Education Research Project, 9926 112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 1L7.

British Columbia

BRITISH COLUMBIA The Women's Access Association is still very active and working as a group in colleges and provincial institutions. Many provincial "Goals for Change Workshops" - a curriculum package presentation - continue to be welcomed in B.C. communities.

Vast cuts in educational funding have created tense situations for many teachers and educators. B.C. will be the site of a new native "safe house" for battered women. 'Chinook House', to be situated on the Okanogan Indian Reserve will start to take form, hopefully, in the New Year.

Manitoba

MANITOBA Manitoba has organized a CCLOW chapter. Activities will include a series of workshops on topics such as the National Training Program and women and micro-technology.

In addition, Martha Colquhoun has been involved in Regina - CCLOW National Training Act research project being conducted by Winnipeg researcher, Heather Henderson. Martha as chairperson of the Skills Bank Committee, has arranged for the Skills Bank to be revised and updated.

Ontario

ONTARIO The Ottawa network has been very active in negotiations with Algonquin College to improve funding and programming for women, and to appoint women to the Board of Governors.

A project to develop a Telidon information package for re-entry women is underway. It will be distributed through the T.V.Ontario information network in a number of smaller Ontario cities.

A group of members in Toronto is pursuing discussions with CEIC Minister John Roberts, following the June workshop on the National Training Act.