Finance
Executive Council
March 30, 2017

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Cathy Bennett, Minister of Finance and President of Treasury Board, and Minister Responsible for the Status of Women:

Minister Bennett Highlights Investor Relation Work and United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to provide some highlights of my recent trip to New York as a representative of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

One of the reasons for this trip, Mr. Speaker was to complete investor relations work as our government looks to expand our borrowing program outside the domestic market. We received very positive feedback on the transparency of information we have provided potential investors through our investor relations work. We are exploring all options that may result in lowering borrowing costs for this province.

Being able to inform and establish positive relationships with potential investors is essential as we look at the strong long-term potential and financial prospects of Newfoundland and Labrador. I feel confident Mr. Speaker, in our ability to meet borrowing targets and achieve our seven-year plan to return to surplus.

Mr. Speaker, I was also very fortunate to be a part of the Canadian delegation to attend the 61st Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. I had the opportunity to meet with community groups, stakeholders and government officials from all over the world to discuss key issues affecting the economic and social wellbeing of women and girls as well as matters related to violence prevention.

Some of the events I took part in included, “Empowerment as an instrument to eradicate all forms of violence against indigenous women and girls,” “Sexism, harassment and violence against women MPs” and “Young women, economic empowerment and leadership in a changing work world.” I also had the opportunity to engage in discussions with the federal Status of Women Minister Maryam Monsef as well as colleagues from across the country.

Mr. Speaker, my attendance at the UN Commission on the Status of Women was a very humbling experience, one that will be shaping my work as Minister Responsible for the Status of Women for Newfoundland and Labrador. These events and the discussions that took place fostered ideas and generated relationships at the international level for the betterment of women and girls here in our province and around the world.

2017 03 30                              2:20 p.m.