Toronto – October 27, 2015 – UFCW Canada activists recently commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) at the LEAF Annual Persons Day Breakfast Gala held in Toronto.

The event's keynote speaker, Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada (FNCFCS), spoke of the importance of empowering First Nations and Indigenous youth. Dr. Blackstock noted, "Longstanding federal government funding inequalities in services on reserve have denied generations of First Nations children the childhood they deserve. Lessons from around the world teach us that when governments discriminate, it is up to the people to set things right."

The event centred around the call for a more female-friendly perspective on Parliament Hill, and applauded the record-setting 88 women MPs who were recently elected. Another focus of the event was to continue on the path to confronting discrimination and advancing equality.

"We remain conscious that despite our successes in Canadian courts, women and girls in Canada continue to face disproportionate levels of violence, along with social and economic barriers to success in the workplace, at home and in law," said Diane O'Reggio, Executive Director of LEAF. "We strongly believe that with ongoing support from our sponsors, donors and volunteers, LEAF's work will continue to foster equality in Canada. We thank all our supporters for 30 years of working together towards equality."

The Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) was founded to ensure Canadian courts protect the equality provisions in Sections 15 and 28 of the Charter of Rights and Freedom. For over 30 years, LEAF has achieved many victories in the courts to advance substantive equality for women and girls in Canada.

UFCW Canada is also a longstanding ally and community partner of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. FNCFCS is the leading national organization serving Aboriginal children and families in Canada. As national partners, UFCW Canada and FNCFCS actively collaborate on projects to advance equality, diversity, education, and social and economic justice for First Nations children, youth, and families.