The Liberals are calling on Heritage Minister Bev Oda to come to the defence of Status of Women Canada, in the wake of a pressure campaign by some Conservative supporters to have the federal agency axed.
Status of Women Canada, created in the 1970s under Pierre Trudeau to promote the equality and advancement of women, falls within Oda's portfolio.
"The Conservative grassroots community is actively campaigning for the demise of this important agency which promotes the rights of women in Canada," said MP Maria Minna, Liberal critic for the Status of Women.
"Ms. Oda must come clean and reveal whether or not she will bow to the pressure of these extreme right-wing groups or if she will take a stand and publicly distance herself from their position."
REAL Women of Canada, which says it supports women's equality as well as a "Judeo-Christian understanding of marriage and family life," spearheaded the pressure campaign on the Conservative government.
It contends that Status of Women is out of date, and its $23-million annual budget funds only "radical feminist" organizations.
There has been no indication by Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government that the agency is on the chopping block, and Conservative MPs on the parliamentary committee that studies the agency have been supportive.
Still, REAL Women's campaign has gained momentum and support among some pro-Conservative Internet blogs in recent weeks.
Oda's office did not return calls this week about the debate.
"One wonders what exactly (Status of Women) has been doing with its $23 million a year to improve the lot of Canadian women," says Friday's entry on the anonymous Dissonance and Disrespect blog.
"The only women's lot who have been improved, it seems, would be those who work for (Status of Women) and get grant money from it."
A recent public disclosure by Status of Women Canada on grants over $25,000 that it has distributed this year includes:
— $100,000 to an Etobicoke, Ont., microskills centre designed to improve "social and economic opportunities" for low-income and immigrant women in the area.
— $100,000 to a Laval, Que., group aimed at helping women, particularly immigrants, have their needs addressed by the municipality.
— $26,000 to a women's centre in Pitt Meadows, B.C., aimed at improving access to services for semi-rural and suburban women.
Liberal leadership candidate Scott Brison weighed into the debate Friday, writing a letter to Oda urging a public reply to REAL Women's campaign.
"Doubts have been raised as to the government's long-term commitment to the Status of Women, so the minister has a responsibility to state clearly that the government of Canada will support its continued funding," mr. Brison said in an interview.
