c-59 - Act respecting the Conseil du statut de la femme

Updated to 31 May 2024

This document has official status.

chapter C-59

Act respecting the Conseil du statut de la femme

1. In this Act the word “Minister” means the Prime Minister or a minister designated by him.

1973, c. 7, s. 1.

The Minister responsible for the Status of Women is responsible for the administration of this Act. Order of the Premier dated 24 April 2014, (2014) 146 G.O. 2 (French), 1913.

2. A body for study and consultation, hereinafter called “the Council”, is established under the name of “Conseil du statut de la femme”.

1973, c. 7, s. 2; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

3. The Council shall advise the Minister on any matter that he submits to it respecting matters concerning the equality and respect of the rights and status of women.

It may also, with the prior approval of the Minister, study any matter pertaining to the field of equality and respect of the rights and status of women and do or have done any research it considers useful or necessary.

The Council may receive and hear petitions and suggestions from individuals and groups on any matter contemplated in this section.

The Council may furnish the public with information on any individual or collective matter concerning the equality and respect of the rights and status of women.

1973, c. 7, s. 3.

4. The Council shall communicate its findings and conclusions to the Minister, make the recommendations to him that it considers appropriate and make sure that they are carried out.

1973, c. 7, s. 4.

5. The Council must refer to the Minister any problem or matter which it considers as requiring study or action by the Government.

1973, c. 7, s. 5; 1977, c. 5, s. 14.

6. The Council may, with the prior approval of the Minister, constitute special committees for the study of particular matters and direct such committees to collect pertinent information and report their findings and recommendations to the Council.

Such committees may, with the prior approval of the Minister, consist in whole or in part of persons who are not members of the Council; the attendance allowances and fees of the persons who are not members of the Council shall be determined by the Council in accordance with the standards fixed for that purpose by the Government.

1973, c. 7, s. 6.

7. The Council shall be composed of the following members, appointed by the Government:

(a)  the chairman;

(b)  four persons chosen from among those recommended by the women’s associations;

(c)  two persons chosen from among those recommended by the representative socio-economic groups;

(d)  two persons chosen from among those recommended by the syndicate organizations;

(e)  two persons chosen from among those recommended by the university sector.

The Government shall appoint a vice-chairman from among the persons contemplated in subparagraphs b to e.

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services, the Deputy Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Deputy Minister of Labour, the Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, the secretary of the Conseil du trésor and the Deputy Minister of Culture and Communications, or their delegates, shall also be members ex officio of the Council, but shall not be entitled to vote.

1973, c. 7, s. 7; 1975, c. 76, s. 11; 1981, c. 9, s. 24, s. 34; 1982, c. 53, s. 29; 1982, c. 52, s. 177; 1984, c. 47, s. 35; 1985, c. 21, s. 22; 1985, c. 23, s. 24; 1988, c. 41, s. 88; 1992, c. 44, s. 81; 1992, c. 65, s. 43; 1993, c. 51, s. 20; 1994, c. 12, s. 29; 1994, c. 14, s. 11; 1994, c. 16, s. 50; 1996, c. 29, s. 43; 1997, c. 63, s. 128; 2001, c. 44, s. 30; 2005, c. 28, s. 195; 2013, c. 28, s. 202.

8. The members of the Council, other than those contemplated in the third paragraph of section 7, shall be appointed for four years and the chairman shall be appointed for five years.

However, three of the first members other than the chairman shall be appointed for one year, three for two years, two for three years and the other two for four years.

The term of office of the members of the Council may be renewed.

1973, c. 7, s. 8.

9. The members of the Council shall remain in office, notwithstanding the expiry of their term, until reappointed or replaced.

1973, c. 7, s. 9.

10. Every vacancy occurring during the term of office of a member of the Council other than the chairman and those contemplated in the third paragraph of section 7 shall be filled by following the mode of appointment of the member to be replaced, for the remainder of the term of the person to be replaced.

1973, c. 7, s. 10.

11. The chairman shall direct the activities of the Council and coordinate its work; he shall ensure co-operation between the Council and the Minister.

The Government shall fix the fees, allowances or salary of the chairman who shall devote his time exclusively to the work of the Council and the duties of his office.

1973, c. 7, s. 11.

12. The members of the Council other than those contemplated in the third paragraph of section 7 shall be indemnified for their expenses in attending sittings of the Council or its committees and shall receive an attendance allowance fixed by the Government.

1973, c. 7, s. 12.

13. The secretary and the other functionaries and employees of the Council shall be appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

1973, c. 7, s. 13; 1978, c. 15, s. 140; 1983, c. 55, s. 161; 2000, c. 8, s. 242.

14. Notwithstanding section 13, the Council may, with the prior approval of the Minister, employ the persons required for carrying out the work authorized by him.

1973, c. 7, s. 14.

15. The Council may hold its sittings at any place in Québec.

Five members constitute a quorum of the Council.

The Council shall meet as often as necessary.

1973, c. 7, s. 15.

16. If the chairman is absent or unable to act, he shall be replaced by the vice-chairman.

1973, c. 7, s. 16.

17. The Council may make by-laws for its internal management; to have effect, such by-laws must be approved by the Government.

1973, c. 7, s. 17.

18. The Council shall not later than 30 June each year send a report of its activities for the preceding fiscal year to the Minister, who shall communicate it to the National Assembly.

1973, c. 7, s. 18.

19. (This section ceased to have effect on 17 April 1987).

1982, c. 21, s. 1; U. K., 1982, c. 11, Sch. B, Part I, s. 33.

REPEAL SCHEDULE

In accordance with section 17 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes (chapter R-3), chapter 7 of the statutes of 1973, in force on 31 December 1977, is repealed, except sections 19 and 20, effective from the coming into force of chapter C-59 of the Revised Statutes.