Happy International Women’s Day

The Green Party leader and MLA for Fredericton-South David Coon issued a statement in recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8.

Today is a day to celebrate women, their achievements and to recognize the hard work of women throughout history to make these important gains possible. It is also a time to highlight what still needs to be done.

Today, I reflect on the status of NB’s nursing home workers, largely women, who continue to fight for better working conditions and a contract after three and a half years without one. As Greens, our caucus is committed to supporting nursing home workers because those improved working conditions would be felt throughout our health care system, including freeing up hospital beds for those who actually need them rather than seniors being housed in hospitals.

I think about women across the province must travel hours to access reproductive care.  Reproductive health care is a basic human right, and it’s time that New Brunswick fully implement its obligations under the Canada Health Act.

And I am aware that one in six women find themselves living in poverty in New Brunswick. With a guaranteed basic income, women would be able to think about tomorrow because they would have enough to provide for their families today.

All of us will benefit when women see better working conditions, have adequate access to reproductive healthcare and are able to cover their basic needs.  There is much work to be done, but today let’s all celebrate the women in our lives. Happy International Women’s Day.