1. The Role of the Conseil des Montréalaises (Montreal Women’s Council) Charlotte Thibault President

2. MONTREAL

3. Population : 1,6 million Greater Montreal : 3 695 800 1998 election : 24 % women councillors 2009 election : 38,8 % women councillors Executive committee : 45% women members Appointment of a member of the Executive Committee responsible for the status of women

4. MONTREAL

5. HISTORY 2002 Montreal’s Summit: a working group on equality between men and women Commitment to create an advisory council on the status of women 2004 Creation of Conseil des Montréalaises  15 members, 3 years mandate renewable once, diverse representation

6. The Members :

7. MANDATE To advise the Municipal Government on any matter relating equality between women and men Promote the participation of women in public life

8. ROLE Advise municipal agencies on women’s issues mandated Conduct studies Track the implementation of equality policies Liaise with women’s equality seeking organisation Role

9. PRIMARY FOCUS FOR WOMEN Working for the City of Montreal Governing Montreal Living in Montreal

10. EQUALITY POLICY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN Fall 2007 Public consultation Spring 2008 Adoption by the Municipal Council Mandate of the Conseil des Montréalaises : Report every 2 years on the degree of implementation of the policy

11. PRODUCTS 2 major research projects 12 briefs 5 annual reports Douzens of conferences in Montréal, at the national and international levels A leaflet on municipal elections A guide to develop women’s participation as citizen A directory of women’s ressources in Montreal A website

12. RESULTS A council well respected by : The elected officials in Montreal The civil servants The women’s organisations

13. RESULTS Inclusion of women’s realities in housing, public transportation etc.… Inclusion of gender in the Memorandum of Understanding between Port-au-Prince and Montréal. Sex dissaggregated data

14. OBSTACLES AND LESSONS LEARNED 15 volunteers and only 2 staff persons Small budget Limited power of influencing policies

15. RECOMMANDATION Creation of an advisory body on the status of women at the local level