(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (Saanich – Gulf Islands), stressed the importance of a federal leaders’ discussion about women’s issues, on the day the Up for Debate women’s debate among federal party leaders was supposed to take place. Over 130 groups coordinated the debate that was subsequently cancelled because Stephen Harper and Tom Mulcair refused to participate.
“It is emblematic of the challenges women face in Canadian society that a debate on women's issues has been cancelled because of men who choose not to debate. Women’s issues must be discussed in an election campaign. It is unacceptable that violence against women and the wage gap are still issues. Canadian women between the ages of 45 and 54 earn on average about $23,600 less than men in the same cohort. This is just wrong.
“The process that voters go through to choose the candidate they support, and the policies of the party of that candidate, includes the leaders' debates. As things now stand the next debate to be cancelled could well be the major national TV broadcasters' debate, as both Stephen Harper and Thomas Mulcair has refused to participate in that one as well.
“As the only woman leader of a federal party with seats in parliament, I pledge to raise women's issues in that debate if it goes ahead. In 2011 the English language broadcasters' debate was watched by over ten million Canadians."
“The Green Party will fight to end gender-based discrimination in the workplace and violence against women. Women’s equality is fundamental to a just society.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
[email protected]
Or
Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications
t: 613.562.4916 (200)
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
[email protected]