The MHA for Torngat Mountains doesn’t believe that her colleague was trying to undermine the minister because of her gender.
Lela Evans worked in non-traditional roles in the resources sector for decades before entering politics.
The minister responsible for the Status of Women, Lisa Dempster, asked Opposition MHA Barry Petten to withdraw his remarks and apologize for commenting that the minister was “laughing like a school girl” in the Legislature during debate.
Dempster says words have meaning and as one of the longest-serving members of the House of Assembly, she demanded and got an apology.
MHA Evans acknowledged that it was important that she did not undermine the advances made by women, and choosing her words carefully, said she’s not dismissing the language chosen during what was a serious debate.
“Was there any malice or any way that my fellow MHA was trying to undermine the MHA because of her gender?” asked Evans. She concluded, “I don’t think so.”
Evans says intent has to be considered and referenced the importance of allies in supporting women in non-traditional roles. She referenced a man who routinely used to open her door and help her into the pan of a truck on the worksite.
She admits, as a woman, you’d be offended, because she was stronger, faster and fitter than he was. Instead of being offended, she said thank you, because he was raised to help women, and if she had come down on him for that, she believes she would have lost an important supporter that she needed at the time.
Listen to what MHA Lela Evans had to say in the House of Assembly below: