Gender equality

In Canada, women have the same legal status, rights and opportunities as men and are treated as equals socially, in the workplace and in the home. Most Canadian men respect women as equals – socially, in the workplace and in the home.

Living in Manitoba: A resource guide for immigrant women (PDF)

Domestic violence

Manitoba has a "zero tolerance" policy about domestic abuse. This means that violence in any form (physical, emotional, sexual) against women or children is a crime. See Manitoba Justice - Domestic Violence.

If you need assistance contact:

• Domestic Violence Crisis Line - 1-877-977-0007
• Osborne House women's shelter -0 942-3052

Marriage and divorce

Because divorce has become more common, there are many one-parent families in Canada. Most single parents who raise their children on a full-time basis are women. There are also same-sex couples with children.

Canadian law views marriage as a legal agreement or contract between a man and a woman. Married people are considered equal partners. Couples who have lived together for a certain period of time have legal status as "common-law" couples.

Either the wife or the husband can ask for a divorce. This request will normally be approved by the courts if both people have agreed to end the marriage. Divorce will also be approved if one partner has been harmed through cruelty, adultery or a similar injustice.

Birth control and family planning

Many people use birth control. It is a matter of personal choice. Women can get a prescription for birth control pills from a doctor. Family planning information is available from provincial health departments and public health offices, as well as from local health clinics. Abortion is legal but is only available from a doctor.

Family responsibilities

Many people in Canada find that it takes two incomes to raise a family, even though parents are having fewer children. Most mothers have a job outside the home, and in many families, both parents share the work of shopping, cooking, cleaning the house and looking after the children.

Child day care

It is against the law to leave children under 12 years of age alone at home unattended. Families in which both the mother and father work outside the home may have a relative or babysitter take care of their children, or, enrol them in a child day care facility. Day cares charge fees but you may be eligible for a government subsidy. For information visit Child Care Online.

Parenting

Manitoba Parent Zone is a government website is full of information about parenting. Whether you're becoming a parent, have a newborn or are dealing with a teen, this site has answers to your questions about taking care of kids.

Children and youth

When children arrive in Canada, they usually learn about Canadian life quickly through schools, television, movies and music. If they need to learn English or French, they often learn it quite quickly. Parents find out about Canadian life differently, as they search for housing and work. They too may need to learn English or French, but often need more time than their children to do so.

Discussing concerns with teachers, doctors, public health workers, social workers, settlement workers, and friends and relatives who have already settled in Canada will help you and your children understand your experiences and make good choices about your future.

Children's rights

In Canada, you are required by law to properly care for your children. Police, doctors, teachers and children's aid officials will act when children are being abused. This includes any form of harm and abuse – physical, psychological or sexual. All forms of child abuse are severe crimes. In serious cases of abuse, children can be taken away from their parents.

• Physical abuse is any intentional physical contact that causes injury. For example, spanking a child long enough or hard enough to cause bruises, or spanking with anything other than an open hand, is a form of abuse. Some cultural practices, such as female circumcision, are also considered physical abuse and are against the law.
  
  
• Psychological abuse includes terror and humiliation.
  
  
• Sexual abuse includes any form of sexual contact between an adult and a child.
  
  
• Neglect is also a form of child abuse. Parents who fail to protect and provide for their children are guilty of neglect. By law, children under 12 cannot be left alone to look after themselves or younger siblings. Kids' "helplines" are available for children who need someone to help them or with whom they can simply talk.

Youth and the law

In Canada, youth who commit a crime are held accountable for their actions. However, they are not dealt with in the same way as adult offenders. This is because they may not have an adult's understanding of their crime. They are also more likely than adult offenders to be reformed and become law-abiding citizens. The law for young offenders is called the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Seniors

A senior citizen is generally considered someone 65 years of age or older. It is common in Canadian society for healthy senior citizens to live on their own, instead of living with their children. Older people who need special care often move to a retirement or nursing home that provides trained staff and healthcare workers. However, many Canadians still care for older family members in their own home.

Manitoba Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat - This government agency acts as a central point of contact for seniors, their family members and organizations.

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