Brampton, ON – Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South, has been appointed to a new role in the House of Common’s Standing Committee on the Status of Women. This new role is in addition to her existing role on the Standing Committee on Health, a committee that that studies issues that relate to Health Canada, including bills and regulations. MP Sidhu will be actively working on both committees throughout the parliamentary session. In addition, MP Sidhu is also the Chair of the All-Party Diabetes Caucus.

“I am excited to begin my new role in the Status of Women Committee” said MP Sidhu. “As a member, I will be able to more strongly advocate for the issues women face in my riding of Brampton South and better represent their needs and interests as I bring their voices to Ottawa”.

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women studies the policies, programs, expenditures and legislation of departments and agencies, including Status of Women Canada, that conduct work related to the status of women.

“Previously I was appointed to the Special Committee on Pay Equity and I was honoured to have the chance to work with my colleagues to deliver a comprehensive report studying the link between pay equity and the gender wage gap” continued MP Sidhu. “Our report provided the government a clear direction on how to implement a proactive federal pay equity regime. I am looking forward to picking back up my work on pay equity and working toward ensuring all Canadians have a fair and equal opportunity to succeed”.

In its meetings during the current parliamentary session, the Standing Committee on the Status of Women will be actively working on studies that will examine barriers facing women in politics along with the transitional housing needs and challenges women in Canada face when it comes to emergency shelters.