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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Status of Women Critic and MHA for the District of
Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, says Status of Women Minister Joan Burke is only
committed to women’s rights when it satisfies her own political agenda.
Jones raised the issue during debate in the House of Assembly this
afternoon. "After listening to the rhetoric of Minister Burke this
afternoon, I feel compelled to expose the hypocrisy of her words," said Ms.
Jones. "The minister claims to be committed to expanding the rights of women
in this province, however, I know first-hand the vindictive nature of this
individual and her agenda of only promoting women’s issues when it suits her
political interests.
"As was confirmed by the Leader of the NDP in today’s debate, I tried to
form a branch of the Canadian Women’s Parliament in this province. This
group represents the interests and rights of female parliamentarians from
across Canada from all political parties. Instead of supporting this group
that would have included our ten female representatives from this province,
the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women scuttled the whole process
because she did not want to include female members from the Opposition. This
certainly demonstrates she is not open to the views of all women in this
province.
"Another example occurred recently at an Aboriginal Women’s conference in
Labrador. As the only aboriginal woman in the House of Assembly, I expected
to receive an invitation to this conference. Minister Burke refused to
invite me because of my political stripe. Against the minister’s wishes, I
was invited by other aboriginal women who felt I was being unfairly treated
by this minister. Once again, certainly not the actions of a minister who
wanted to expand the rights and viewpoints of all women in this province.
"I was also excluded by the minister from meetings in Labrador West and
Happy Valley-Goose Bay which promoted women in municipal politics. As the
only female ever elected to the House of Assembly from Labrador and having
served as a municipal councillor for five years prior, women in Labrador
thought it was unfair that I was excluded. They made representation to the
Women’s Policy Office to have me included, yet the minister made no move to
do so.
"If the minister wants to stand up and claim she represents the views of
all women, I suggest her actions speak louder than her words. Currently,
this minister is only committed to women’s issues that benefit her own
agenda. Where is the inclusion of women, where is our democratic voice? I
would suggest this minister is more inclined to exclude the women in this
province, not include us in the decision-making process."
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