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Appalling behaviour for Status of Women
minister: Opposition November 23, 2006
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Yvonne Jones, Liberal Opposition Critic for the Status of Women and MHA for the District of Cartwright L=Anse au Clair, says she is appalled by the cowardly behaviour of the Minister Responsible for the Status of Woman, Joan Burke, for not owning up to her questionable decision not to support a women=s group in this province. The Bay St. George Status of Women Council (BSGSWC) was recently rejected by the federal government for funding Phase 5 of its ATaking our Place@ initiative. The rejection was based on a recommendation from the provincial minister who sent an unexpected message to Ottawa that she was not able to support the extension of this successful seven-year project. When questioned in the House of Assembly this week by the Liberal MHA, the minister used the lame excuse that she had not seen a copy of the proposal, and therefore was not able to offer a recommendation. AIt was very offensive to hear the minister=s unsatisfactory comeback to my questioning and her refusal to support this very worthwhile project,@ says Jones. AI was informed by the BSGSWC that the minister met with them, was provided copies of the proposal and was briefed on its contents. She, in turn, provided reassurance to this group that she would indeed endorse the funding they were seeking. AThe minister then pulled an about-face on this very credible group which is not only a disgrace to the Status of Women=s office, but the fact is that she is also the MHA for the area where this group has carried out a tremendous amount of excellent work with those who are disadvantaged by poverty, violence and other social problems. As an MHA, she has not only let her constituents down by her failure to advocate on their behalf, but as a minister has done a disservice to the women of this province by her non-support of this funding. AThe Bay St. George women=s organization lost $180,000 of federal funding due to the lack of endorsement from the province and the minister. The success of the women=s community and all its endeavours depends on many partners, including having a strong, supportive and a forthright minister in government. The Status of Women minister has not shown any credibility in this matter and has a great deal to answer for her inappropriate actions and the unfortunate fall-out for women in this province.@ - 30 -
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