Government of New Brunswick

September 12, 2018

Fredericton – The New Brunswick Women’s Council has announced that it will hold a forum with political party leaders to discuss issues affecting women’s equality on September 17th. The leaders of the Green, Liberal, People’s Alliance, and Progressive Conservative parties have confirmed their attendance. Nadine Duguay-Lemay, CEO of Dialogue NB, will facilitate the discussion.

“This will be the first time in New Brunswick election history that party leaders have participated in an event focused solely on discussing issues affecting women’s equality,” said Jody Dallaire, co-chair of the council.

The event will be held in Fredericton with an invited audience and will also be livestreamed on Facebook. A recording of the forum will also be posted to YouTube after the event. Party leaders will be asked five questions, each one based on an issue affecting women’s equality, and provided the opportunity to make opening and closing statements. The event will be facilitated in both official languages and leaders will be welcome to respond in the language of their choice. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided at the event and for the livestream and recording to be posted later.

The issues to be addressed were identified by women in New Brunswick through the council’s public engagement initiative, Resonate. The council will publish the first round of findings from Resonate later this week.

“The council’s mandate is to engage with and represent New Brunswick women and to ensure that the issues affecting them are brought to government and public attention,” said co-chair Jennifer Richard. “Through Resonate we heard from over 1 300 women and we are eager to bring their experiences and priorities to party leaders and ensure that New Brunswickers are informed on leaders’ commitment to and vision for women’s equality in our province in advance of the election.”

The council launched Resonate in the fall of 2017 and collected data into early 2018. The first report back will focus on responses it collected from women through an online survey and in person discussion groups. In the fall, the council will release findings from its survey for individuals belonging to gender minorities (e.g. trans, non-binary, two-spirit persons) and its engagement with organizations that serve and advocate for women.

The New Brunswick Women’s Council is an independent advisory body on women’s equality issues.

09-12-18

Media contact:  Beth Lyons, Executive Director, New Brunswick Women’s Council, 506-462-5142  [email protected]