Indigenous Women’s Rights, Status, and Safety

How a Senate bill could end the Indian Act’s 2nd-generation cut-off (April 8, 2026): Bill S-2 would amend the Indian Act to eliminate the second-generation cut-off that has disproportionately stripped Indigenous women and their descendants of Indian status after generations of “marrying out.” Advocates argue the reform restores gender equality and prevents the long-term erasure of First Nations citizenship, while some chiefs raise concerns about band-controlled membership and community connection. The bill proposes a one-parent rule, allowing status to pass on as long as one parent is registered, marking a major feminist and Indigenous rights milestone. Source link → CBC  News

Indigenous women’s groups urge funding to limit risks to safety, prosperity (April 8, 2026): Indigenous women’s organizations are warning that unstable federal funding puts women, girls, two-spirit, and gender-diverse people at increased risk, especially as Canada expands resource extraction and infrastructure projects. Advocates say short-term funding agreements prevent long-term planning to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG). They are calling on the federal government to commit to sustained, equitable funding and fully implement the 231 Calls for Justice. Source link → CP24.com

MMIWG2S+ programs at risk of losing federal funding, say Indigenous women’s organizations (April 8, 2026): Indigenous women’s organizations say federal funding for MMIWG2S+ prevention and support programs is being allowed to “sunset,” undermining years of progress and placing lives at risk. Leaders describe the funding relationship as coercive and unstable, arguing it mirrors power dynamics of abuse rather than partnership. They warn that without long-term core funding, essential services and safety initiatives may collapse. Source link → CBC News

Transportation remains key issue impacting MMIWG2S on Highway of Tears, 2 decades later (April 10, 2026): Twenty years after the original Highway of Tears symposium, families and advocates say unsafe transportation remains a major factor in violence against Indigenous women and girls in northern British Columbia. While intercommunity bus services have reduced hitchhiking, gaps in frequency, affordability, and accessibility continue to force people into dangerous situations. Advocates are urging governments to show political will by improving transportation infrastructure and committing to long-term safety measures. Source link → CBC News

Reproductive Rights and Health Access

She travelled 900 km for an abortion. Years later, Quebec access issues remain urgent (April 9, 2026): A Quebec woman’s experience travelling hundreds of kilometres for a surgical abortion highlights persistent barriers facing people in rural and regional areas. Doctors and advocates say limited capacity, long wait times, and uneven regional services continue to delay care, even in a province considered highly pro-choice. Feminist health advocates are calling for minimum service standards and expanded surgical abortion access across Quebec.Source link → CBC News

Health-care providers warn: Unauthorized abortion pills sellers targeting women in Canada (April 10, 2026): Health-care providers warn that unregulated sellers are targeting vulnerable women with illegal abortion pills sold through websites and WhatsApp. These pills, often imported without oversight, pose serious health risks and disproportionately affect newcomers, uninsured women, and those with language barriers. Providers say the situation exposes systemic failures in access and are urging stronger enforcement and broader coverage for abortion care. Source link → CTV News

Gender Equality, Labour, and Economic Justice

April 14, 2026 is Equal Pay Day (April 10, 2026): Women in Ontario are marking Equal Pay Day to demand government action to close the gender pay gap and address chronic underfunding in child care. Advocates argue that low wages in female-dominated care sectors fuel staffing shortages and economic inequality for women. Feminist labour groups are calling for major public investments to ensure pay equity and economic justice. Source link → Canadian Press

Feminism, Politics, and LGBTQ2S+ Rights

Carney says floor-crossing MPs must support Liberal values on abortion, LGBTQ rights (April 9, 2026): Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that any MP joining the Liberal caucus must support core party values, including abortion rights and LGBTQ2S+ equality. The statement followed controversy over a former Conservative MP’s decision to cross the floor despite a history of socially conservative positions. Feminist and progressive observers say the episode highlights tensions between expanding political coalitions and protecting fundamental rights. Source link → Canadian Press