Minister to discuss child care and challenges for women on Northern Peninsula

Joan Burke, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, will be visiting with women from the central region of the Northern Peninsula today to discuss issues related to child care and challenges for women in positions of leadership in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

�Women in rural Newfoundland and Labrador make a tremendous contribution in highlighting and advancing important issues,� said Minister Burke. �They play a key role in all aspects of community life.�

This afternoon Minister Burke will meet with 12 women leaders including Carolyn Lavers, a board member of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, as well as Alma MacLean, Mille Spence, Berth Brophy, Denise White, Heather House, Chatal Gaslard, Dana Pittman, Clara Osbourne, Gloria Toope and Stella Mailman in Port au Choix.

�We are pleased to have the opportunity to meet with Minister Burke,� said Carolyn Lavers. �We�re looking forward to bringing our knowledge of local issues to the table and having a productive discussion.�

The minister has made it a practice, whenever possible, to meet with people who are closest to the issues of importance and to hear first hand the concerns of women around the province.

�Ensuring women�s voices are heard is a priority of this government,� said Minister Burke. �We recognize that in order to make improvements to our communities we must come together and work with those who have the frontline knowledge. This is a great opportunity for me to meet with women who have such a tremendous impact on the lives of people on the Northern Peninsula.�

The mandate of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women is to advise government and to advocate, lobby and educate on issues which affect the status of women in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Media contact: Michelle Hynes, Communications, (709)729-6225

2006 08 04                                         9:40 a.m.