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Yvonne Jones, Opposition Status of Women Critic and MHA for the District of
Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, says government should return to the traditional
method of choosing the President of the Provincial Advisory Council on the
Status of Women (PACSW), instead advertising through the Public Service
Commission for the position. Government recently decided to advertise the
President’s position for the PACSW through the Public Service Commission, as
opposed to the previous method of accepting nominations from recognized
women’s organizations across the province. The previous method was
recognized as one of the best in Canada.
"I am extremely disappointed that this government has decided to move
away from the traditional method of choosing the President of the PACSW,"
said Ms. Jones. "I have written the premier expressing my anger at this
decision. The method used in previous years ensured that the president was
independent, chosen by women and not picked by any particular government to
be their puppet. I fear that this current process will take away this
independence.
"This premier and government are very sensitive to criticism. I believe
the decision to move away from the traditional process is a direct result of
the criticism that was directed at the premier by the PACSW over the past
few months. This is nothing more than another attempt to silence women’s
concerns in the province.
"I feel this new system of choosing the President of the PACSW comprises
the independence and integrity of this very important position. I am calling
upon the premier to do the right thing, reverse this decision, and allow
women to once again choose their representative for their issues."
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