The former minister of women and gender equality believes Health Minister Lela Evans is too bogged down with cabinet roles to afford the Department of Women and Gender Equality the attention it deserves.
The provincial government has moved the previous stand-alone portfolio to Evans’ list of responsibilities.
Aside from the demanding health department, Evans is also responsible for mental health and addictions, NL Health Services, Labrador Affairs, and Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Pam Parsons (VOCM News file photo)
Justice Critic Pam Parsons says the health ministry should be unto itself.
“When I served as minister on that and my colleague Sherry Gambin-Walsh served, it was an independent stand-alone portfolio. And I know the demands; it’s not just gender-based violence, but it’s also the pay equity, which is under that portfolio and also capital ventures and many other topics serve under that portfolio,” she told VOCM Open Line with Linda Swain.
“I’m concerned for my colleague, Minister Evans. She’s obviously a capable, very strong woman, but (Tony Wakeham) has certainly loaded her down with a lot of portfolios.”
NDP Leader Jim Dinn (VOCM News)
The NDP is surprised by government’s decision to move the Women and Gender Equality portfolio under the Health Minister’s long list of responsibilities.
Party leader Jim Dinn, who was speaking on behalf of Sheilagh O’Leary who is recovering from the flu, says he has no doubt in Minister Lela Evans’ abilities, but because Health alone is so demanding, he’s concerned about the amount of attention Women and Gender Equality will receive.
He calls the move “surprising.”
