Absolute recognition of women by the government.
Equal pay for equal work.
Equal marriage laws including conditions of divorce.
Equal parental rights between mother and father.
Raising the age of consent so that a girl's person is as fully protected as her property.
Equal opportunity of employment.
Equal homesteading rights.
Amended immigration laws allowing women from the British Isles to settle in Canada on equal terms with men.
Parents to share financial support of children according to ability to pay.
Every child to be guaranteed by the community from birth until it becomes fully grown and self-supporting, the material conditions of life, the medical supervision and treatment, and the general education followed by specialized education, necessary to render the child a worthy citizen.
Creation of a cooperative housekeeping system to replace the present noncooperative system of housing, which involves injustice to the housewife and an incalculable waste of national wealth, which would provide: laundry service, infirmary and isolation hospital and creche, nursery school gymnasium and reading room for the use of families in each cooperative dwelling.
The Women's Party is of the opinion that, in the mind of every Canadian man and woman, a sense of national duty and responsibility must go together with the sense of individual political and economic rights. Special Women's Questions, Women's Party, Toronto, 1918.

From the above, it might appear that there has not been a great deal of change since 1918. However, many changes have taken place. And the broad base of support for women concerns has been building and growing. Our time as a political force has indeed come. "Elections can offer us, as women, an opportunity to exercise power, responsibility, and consciousness to define, organize, and implement a new kind of government - one which recognizes, values, and makes visible our female experience." The National Action Committee on the Status of Women has prepared a wonderful Federal Elections Issue of the Status of Women News, "Women's Vote 1984: How and Why to get involved." This excellent issue has been designed as an Election Kit for all women.

It clearly defines all issues and presents realistic and imaginative ways by which we can ensure that these issues be a part of the election process. We urge you to obtain a copy of the Kit and share it with your friends. We are the gender gap and our votes can make a difference!

Write to NAC Status of Women News at 40 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto M4T lM9 or call (416) 922-3246.

["Special Women's Questions" and all sections in quotes are reprinted with permission from the NAC Status of Women News Federal Elections Issue. Translation by CCLOW.]