An crowd of early-morning risers gathered in a space that bears the name of prominent female trailblazer Jean Pigott for an International Women’s Day celebration hosted for more than 200 women and men by Mayor Jim Watson.
Tuesday’s breakfast reception at Ottawa City Hall featured Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu as well as Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna and included such guests as former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion, 95. As one of Canada’s best-known and longest-serving mayors, McCallion was on the receiving end of a hearty standing ovation.
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From left, Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu with former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion, 95, and Mayor Jim Watson at an International Women’s Day breakfast reception the mayor hosted at Jean Pigott Place, inside Ottawa City Hall, on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
Status of Women Minister Patty Hajdu spoke at an International Women’s Day breakfast reception hosted by Mayor Jim Watson at Jean Pigott Place inside City Hall on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
More than 200 guests were invited to Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, for an International Women’s Day breakfast reception, hosted by Mayor Jim Watson.
From left, Kanata North Councillor Marianne Wilkinson with Carleton University president and vice-chancellor Roseann O’Reilly Runte and Jean Teron at an International Women’s Day breakfast reception hosted by Mayor Jim Watson at Ottawa City Hall on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
Penny Collenette, who was head of appointments for former prime minister Jean Chrètien, with Mary Ng, director of appointments to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, at an International Women’s Day breakfast reception hosted by the mayor at Jean Pigott Place, inside Ottawa City Hall, on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
Traditional drummer Theland Kicknosway, 12, with his mother, Elaine, performed an honour song at an International Women’s Day breakfast celebration held at Ottawa City Hall on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
International Women’s Day is held worldwide and celebrates the economic, political, cultural and social achievements of women. “We now have a cabinet that’s 50 – 50 [gender balance]. The best news about that is that there’s no going back,” said McKenna, followed by audience applause.
Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, was the guest speaker at an International Women’s Day breakfast reception that Mayor Jim Watson hosted at Ottawa City Hall, inside Jean Pigott Place, on Tuesday, March 8, 2016.
Always a hot topic is the greater need for work-life balance, a concept that McKenna, a married mom of three elementary school-aged children, began openly talking about after she won her Ottawa Centre seat last fall. She’s been trying to set aside cell-phone-free time around the dinner hour to be home with her family.
The public reaction has been positive, she said, as people have shared with her their stories of trying to juggle jobs with caring for young children, sick family members or aging parents. “So many people came to me – men and women – and said, ‘Thank you for … being real about the challenges we face’,” said McKenna.
“It made me realize that it’s really important for all of us in the room to be role models, but to also be honest role models. It is tough. It is tough when you have a job, when you have a family, when you have outside obligations, but the more we talk about it … it actually changes the [work-life balance] conversation.”
Negative feedback has consisted of postings by Internet trolls, questioning whether McKenna does any work. “I do work,” said McKenna, assuredly.
Carolyn001@sympatico.ca
