The former minister of Women and Gender Equality is urging Premier Tony Wakeham to reconsider and make the portfolio a stand alone department once again.
The department is being overseen by Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer, who has also been appointed as the Minister of Justice and Public Safety, and Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management.
Pam Parsons who is now serving in a critic role says the department needs to be stand alone given the federal government has flagged the safety of women, girls and gender diverse Canadians as a priority in the upcoming budget. She says lumping the portfolio in with others is a step backward.
Parsons says gender-based violence has been recognized as an epidemic in this province and across Canada. “I’m very concerned” says Parsons, “and I’m calling on Premier Tony Wakeham to reconsider this major cut.
The Premier defends the cuts to cabinet, amounting to approximately $400,000 in savings to taxpayers over the next four years. The changes include lumping Indigenous Affairs and Labrador Affairs with Health, and Seniors with Finance. Wakeham expressed confidence in the abilities of his ministers to get the job done.
