Government of New Brunswick


FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick Women’s Council is advising government that it should provide updates or take action on a number of gender-equality issues during the upcoming legislative session.

“During the last legislative session and in recent months, New Brunswickers have seen positive changes on a number of longstanding gender-equality issues in our province,” said council co-chair Jody Dallaire. “There are, however, also issues that the council has spoken out on that still require action or disclosure of further information.”

The council has advised government that it is still seeking information or recommendation action on these issues:

  • Details on government’s plan to address the handling of sexual violence reports by law enforcement and the justice system.
  • Further details on the investment in child care announced in August, including whether changes will shift the sector away from a market-based approach and improve the wages of workers.
  • Additional information and transparency regarding government’s use of gender-based analysis as well as public release of information generated by analyses completed, including those for Throne Speeches and budgets.
  • Further details on the Family Plan, including an action plan on pay equity in the private sector and a response to the council’s concern that that government’s plan to shift health and senior care from institutional to home- and community-based delivery could negatively impact the sector’s women-dominated workforce unless low pay and precarious conditions are addressed.
  • Ensuring gender-based analysis is used in the development of various electoral reform measures government has committed to implement.

“Institutional responses to sexual violence; access to affordable and high quality child care; accounting for women’s experiences and needs in policy-making; the gendered division of labour; and women’s participation in politics – these are complex, longstanding issues,” said council co-chair Jewell Mitchell. “Because of this, we are pleased to see them on the agenda but also need concrete details and commitments on how they will be addressed.”

The New Brunswick Women’s Council is an independent advisory body on women’s equality issues.

10-24-17

Media contact: Beth Lyons, Executive Director, New Brunswick Women’s Council   506-462-5142 [email protected]