The Women and Gender Equity Directorate is looking for new board members to join the Minister’s Advisory Council on Women and Gender Equity (formerly known as the Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues). The council will provide advice to the Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity Directorate and other Ministers on policies, programs and legislation related to gender equity, sexual orientation and women’s issues.
Bill 22, the Act to amend the Yukon Advisory Council on Women's Issues Act, received assent from the Yukon Legislative Assembly at the end of the spring sitting. A new regulation outlining criteria for membership is in place.
Under the updated legislation, the Minister’s Advisory Council must consist of four to 12 members and will include two subcommittees: a subcommittee focused on gender equity for women and a subcommittee focused on gender equity for the gender diverse and people who may face discrimination because of their sexual orientation.
The directorate is currently looking to fill up to 10 positions. Applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities are encouraged. When reviewing applications, the Commissioner in the Executive Council will ensure that the membership of the council is knowledgeable about gender equity and reflective of the diversity of the Yukon.
Applications will be accepted until the council is filled. More information is available on yukon.ca.
The changes following the passing of Bill 22 will help ensure that the Advisory Council on Women and Gender Equity remains relevant and representative of our diverse communities. The council’s expanded mandate and new membership criteria will bring in new perspectives and insights and will allow the council to make an impact across the Yukon government on all matters related to gender, sexual orientation, and women’s issues. This is an important step towards achieving true gender equality across the Yukon.
Minister responsible for Women and Gender Equity Directorate Jeanie McLean
The Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues (YACWI) was established by the Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues Act in May 1992.
In the 2021 LGBTQ2S+ Inclusion Action Plan, the government committed to restructuring the Yukon Advisory Council on Women’s Issues to include issues related to the Yukon’s Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual plus communities (2SLGBTQIA+).
Following the passing of Bill 22 during the spring sitting of the Yukon Legislative Assembly the YACWI council was renamed the Minister’s Advisory Council on Women and Gender Equity.
Current YACWI members have automatically became members of the Minister’s Advisory Council and will serve the terms they were appointed to as members of YACWI.
The council’s name, mandate, and membership criteria were updated in order for it to stay relevant and reflective of the diversity of Yukoners.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Weronika Murray
Communications, Women and Gender Equity Directorate
867-667-3030
weronika.murray@yukon.ca