NS NDP Women

The 2022 theme for International Women’s Day is "Break the Bias." In celebration of March 8th, NSNDP Caucus members share their vision for a gender-equal Nova Scotia.

International Women’s Day 2022: Break the Bias The 2022 theme for International Women’s Day is "Break the Bias." In celebration of March 8th, NSNDP Caucus members share their vision for a gender-equal Nov...

Women in Film and Television-Atlantic

Do you have a fantastic idea for short film? Enter the 2019 Pitch Competition for a chance to bring your project to the screen. For details on how to enter go to: https://www.wift-at.com/2019-pitch-competition

Lenore Zann, Politician

As we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and remember the victims and survivors of gender-based violence, we must also reaffirm our commitment to supporting the groups and individuals working towards the elimination of violence against women in our society.

HALIFAX -- Lenore Zann, NDP Spokesperson for the Status of Women made the following statement on National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women:

“More people are coming forward every day with their own experiences of sexualized violence and are looking for help. Instead of getting the help they need today, survivors are forced to wait months for counselling services to help them heal.

As we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the Liberal government needs to return to the province’s sexual violence strategy and ensure that survivors across the province have access to comprehensive support services.”

Funding connected to the Liberals’ sexual violence strategy ended in March but community groups say they’ve seen an increase in demand and need support to provide services to those in need.

https://www.nsndp.ca/zann-liberals-must-do-more-sexual-violence-strategy

NSNDP

As we mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women and remember the victims and survivors of gender-based violence, we must also reaffirm our commitment to supporting the groups and individuals working towards the elimination of violence against women in our society.
https://www.nsndp.ca/zann-liberals-must-do-more-sexual-violence-strategy

NSNDP

Amazing turnout for today's door-to-door canvass in Sackville-Cobequid!

Canada’s NDP / Le NPD du Canada

As more Canadian women are speaking up, we need to listen. on violence against women.

NSNDP

The NDP is out knocking on doors today to hear your thoughts about the health care crisis and the action we need to take to fix it. Sign our health petition here: https://nsndp.ca/time-action-health-care

Number of LGBT lawmakers in Congress hits double digits

Trump be damned! The number of openly LGBTQ members elected to serve in the 116th Congress has reached double digits with Democrat Kyrsten Sinema's victory in the Arizona Senate declared on Monday night. Sinema, who is bisexual, joins nine other openly LGBTQ people who have been elected to serve in the legislature - a historic number, according to CBS News.

thehill.com The number of openly LGBTQ members elected to serve in the 116th Congress has reached the double digits with Democrat Kyrsten Sinema’s victory in the Arizona Senate declared on Monday night.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Keeps Right on Working Despite Spending the Night in the Hospital

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fell down in her office last Wednesday but went home as usual. She experienced "discomfort" during the night and went to George Washington Hospital where doctors discovered she had broken three ribs. She doesn't let that kind of thing slow her down, though.

Ginsburg told the press back in 2013 that she wouldn't time her retirement based on who was president--that she would stay on the bench "as long as I can do the job full steam, and that, at my age, is not predictable."

At 85 “the notorious RBG” as her fans call her, is still going full steam.

“Ginsburg’s nephew Daniel Stiepleman told reporters at the premiere of On the Basis of S*x, a film about a 1972 gender discrimination case in which Ginsburg was an attorney:

‘The last I heard she was up and working, of course, because what else would she be doing? And cracking jokes,’ he said. ‘I can't promise they were good jokes, but they were jokes.’

They let her out of the hospital and she went home where she is--naturally--working. As one of only four liberals out of nine judges on the Supreme Court, she knows that her presence there is important to the causes she feels most passionate about.

RBG is passionate about life and her work, and even her weekly physical work-outs. She does everything full-steam because she has “tapas” - a Sanskrit word meaning "fiery discipline or passion."

And so in addition to working as much as she can even when facing health issues, she's also doing what she can to keep those issues to a minimum.

Tapas does that. You may look at Ginsburg and see someone hanging on by her fingernails, struggling to stay in her job so she can try to preserve Roe v. Wade and some of the other decisions that may get overturned in a majority conservative court ... But I believe that she's a person following her passion, which is the same as following her bliss. And that if you're lucky enough to find something you feel that passionate about, that ignites the tapas in you, then you'll be happy too.”

inc.com The 85-year-old supreme court justice worked from home today despite three broken ribs.

Viola's Legacy

🎊 The countdown is on! 🎊

Celebrate Viola is in three weeks, and we have an amazing list of events taking place in the Gottingen area and beyond. Bring your family and friends to Halifax's North End to celebrate a phenomenal African Nova Scotian businesswoman, and the mother of the Canadian Civil Rights Movement.

Events are as follows:

Wednesday, November 21: Civil Rights Then and Now Round Table Discussion, 6 PM – 8 PM, Dalhousie Student Union, 6136 University Avenue, Halifax

Thursday, November 22: Viola: The Musical, 7 PM – 9 PM, Spatz Theatre, 1855 Trollope Street, Halifax

Friday, November 23: Celebrate Viola: Spoken Word Night, 8 PM – 10 PM, The Local, 2037 Gottingen Street, Halifax

Saturday, November 24: Celebrate Viola: $10 Street Sale & Pop Up Vendors Market, 9 AM – 4 PM, RadStorm, 2177 Gottingen Street, Halifax

Saturday, November 24: Celebrate Viola: Tribute Concert, 8 PM – 12 AM, The Marquee Ballroom, 2037 Gottingen Street, Halifax

Sunday, November 25: Celebrate Viola: Luncheon and Ecumenical Service, 12 PM – 3:30 PM, St George's Round Church, 2222 Brunswick Street, Halifax



Discover Halifax | CTV Atlantic News | Virgin Radio Halifax | C100 FM - Today's Best Music | Andy Fillmore | Lisa Roberts for Halifax Needham | Lindell Smith, Councillor District 8 - Peninsula North | Halifax Regional Municipality | North End Business Association | MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law | Canadian Heritage | Downtown Halifax | Spring Garden Area Business Association | Mount Saint Vincent University Students' Union (MSVUSU) | Dalhousie Student Union

Viola's Legacy

🎭🎉 Tickets are on sale now for Viola: The Musical -
An original production by Charles Taylor Theatre 🎊🎭

Synopsis: Sisters, Rayna and Amiah embark on a journey to discover who Viola Desmond was through the eyes of her heart and soul. They uncover Viola’s path from a successful businesswoman to the mother of the Canadian civil rights movement. By refusing to give up her seat in the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, NS, Desmond took her place in history as an international symbol of inspiration that has fueled generations to fight for their rights.

Cost: $10.00 CDN

Tickets: https://spatztheatre.boldtypetickets.com/events/59579224/viola-the-musical

For more information go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/467492517081647/

Lisa Roberts for Halifax Needham

I am glad to be the NDP spokesperson on Housing, a huge issue in Halifax-Needham. We brought the crisis of affordability to the floor of the legislature during the fall session. Please read, or watch, what I had to say. I include the link so that you can also read the responses by MLAs Brendan MaGuire and Barbara Adams.

Happy to take part in our local TAKE BACK THE NIGHT event last night in Truro. Thank you so much to Cheryl Paris & Tracey Dorrington Skinner at The Lotus Centre for organizing this important event again this year. We will never rest until violence against women is a thing of the past. So “teach your children well” - in particular, respect for females - and that includes all races as well as the transgender community.

Take Back The Night
Shout out to Britiny Neil for the photos last evening!
Thank you to all who attended/participated/supported!
Bill Mills, Cathy Hinton, Lenore Zann, Vanessa Brooks, Susan Taylor-Simpson, Kendelle Blois, Jaici & Summer Sylliboy, Colchester S*xual Assault Centre - CSAC Mobility Ryders & Truro Police Service
We appreciate you!

NSNDP

Cape Breton Centre MLA Tammy Martin made the following statement in response to news that the region’s lead psychiatrist is resigning: https://www.nsndp.ca/martin-cape-breton-desperate-need-more-psychiatrists

NSNDP

"The New Democrats’ charge that the Nova Scotia government is insensitive to the barriers faced by working mothers gained a little more traction this week.

As it now stands, Nova Scotian women have to be in their jobs longer than women in any other province to ensure those jobs are protected while they are on maternity leave."

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/columnists/vibert-workplace-equity-troubles-nova-scotia-251452/

NSNDP

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Nova Scotia has the lowest minimum wage, the highest concentration of low-income people, and the highest rate of food insecurity in the country.

It's time to take action. The NSNDP is calling for social investments to tackle income inequality.

NSNDP

On Saturday, students gathered in Antigonish to protest St. Francis Xavier University's handling of a recent sexual assault case.

This fall in the Nova Scotia legislature, NDP Status of Women and Advanced Education spokesperson Lenore Zann, Politician questioned the government on its reluctance to bring in legislation to require sexual assault policies on post-secondary campuses.

Read more: https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/st-f-x-students-protest-schools-handling-of-alleged-sexual-assault

Daughters of the Vote

Check out this amazing opportunity from Equal Voice NS. Young women,18 to 23, can apply to be one of 338 people who will go to Canada’s Parliament in April 2019. One participant from every federal riding in Canada will be chosen.

APPLY HERE: http://www.daughtersofthevote.ca/

daughtersofthevote.ca One young woman will be chosen from every federal riding in Canada to represent their community and to communicate their vision for Canada.

NSNDP

When you elect New Democrats to the House of Assembly, you elect feminists. On Tuesday, Susan Leblanc for Dartmouth North and other NSNDP caucus members argued for an amendment to the Labour Standards Code to ensure job protection for parents on leave.

NSNDP

Today, the NDP Caucus will re-introduce a bill that would ban tire burning in Nova Scotia. This is following a decision by the Liberal government to approve a pilot project to burn tires.

https://www.nsndp.ca/liberals-allow-tire-burning-lafarge-ndp-introduce-bill-ban-tire-burning

Lenore Zann, Politician

“Local MLA Lenore Zann is seeking Truro Town Council's support to bring the S*xual Assault Examiner Nurse (SANE) program to the Colchester East Hants Health Centre. Zann, supported by representatives from the Colchester S*xual Assault Centre, The Lotus Centre and other advocates, will be making a presentation at Truro Town Council this afternoon.

Zann says she's hoping to secure the town's support for the SANE program to add weight to the call for provincial funding.

A SANE is a registered nurse who has completed specialized educational and clinical preparation to provide care, gather forensic evidence and give expert testimony after a sexual assault occurs.

The programs are currently in place in a number of Nova Scotia communities, but not Truro.

Truro's lack of a SANE program has come to the forefront in recent weeks after two separate reports of women being turned away from the local hospital after being sexually assaulted.”

http://www.iheartradio.ca/big-dog-100-9/bigdog-news/mla-lenore-zann-looking-for-truro-town-council-s-support-for-sane-program-1.8471258

NSNDP

Today, Alberta becomes the first province in Canada to reach a $15 minimum wage, while Nova Scotia is again the lowest minimum wage in the country.

“Ontario and Alberta have dramatically increased their minimum wages, and the results are impressive, leading to higher incomes, job growth, and more opportunities,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “This is what we need here in Nova Scotia. Our economy can’t grow if we are stuck as the lowest minimum wage jurisdiction in the country.”

Tammy Martin MLA Cape Breton Centre

I’ve been kicked out of the legislature today for pressing the Health Minister on how he’s ignoring Cape Breton!!!! Democracy at its finest 😡

Lenore Zann, Politician

ALEX COOKE THE CANADIAN PRESS Sep 25, 2018: Advocates are calling on Nova Scotia to improve access to abortion services to help make the process “less painful, less emotional, and faster.” Lenore Zann, NDP critic for women’s issues, says the province’s doctor shortage creates a problem for women seeking abortions because there are fewer medical professionals to do ultrasounds or prescribe Mifegymiso, better known as the abortion pill.

“We need more doctors, especially gynecologists and people that can help women with their own specific health issues,” she said Monday, noting that more doctors specializing in women’s health could help make patients feel more comfortable and cared for.

“Abortion, and many other women’s health issues, are very personal and can also get very emotional.”

As of Sept. 1, the waiting list for a family doctor tops 56,000.
This comes days after The Globe and Mail’s Atlantic bureau chief published an account of her experience hitting multiple roadblocks while trying to get an abortion in Nova Scotia, before eventually flying to Toronto for the procedure.

Zann said hearing stories like hers highlights the need for faster access to abortion services, especially since the nature of the procedure is so time-sensitive.

“This is not okay in this day and age for a modern public,” she said. “Women in particular need to be treated with tender, loving care, especially when it comes to these issues around their body.”

In Nova Scotia, patients can have a medical abortion using pills up to nine weeks pregnant while surgical abortions can be obtained up to 15 weeks pregnant.

Health department spokeswoman Tracy Barron said in an email that three regional hospitals offer abortion services in addition to the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, which handles 80 per cent of abortions in the province. There are no free-standing clinics in Nova Scotia that provide abortions.

“Abortion services are consolidated to ensure a level of expertise is maintained by physicians and staff in providing these services,” said Barron, adding that physicians and nurse practitioners are able to prescribe Mifegymiso and the department has recorded 62 different prescribers to date.
Frederique Chabot, director of health promotion with Action Canada for S*xualHealth and Rights, said a lack of places thatprovide abortion services means women, especially in rural areas, would sometimes need to travel for hours to access this service — with some paying out of pocket in travel
costs, childcare, and lost wages for time taken off work.

“There are such huge, missing pieces in terms of truly effecting change in access to a full package of reproductive health services,” she said.

The province has recently improved access to abortion services, including funding the abortion pill in November 2017 and giving Nova Scotians the option to self-refer for an abortion earlier this year.
But Chabot said these announcements are little more than “lip service” if the government doesn’t follow up with concrete steps to help women access these resources.
“If there was no real inquiry with people who need those services, who have accessed them, who have experienced the barriers to those services, to truly understand what needs to happen … then we’re not making a huge dent in terms of accessibility,” she said.

Bridgewater-based obstetrician and gynecologist Robyn MacQuarrie said Monday that navigating the health-care system can be a challenge for women and more doctors are needed to expand service coverage.

But she said in her experience, abortion access in Nova Scotia is on par with other Canadian provinces.

She said patients may have to wait for services because doctors need to ensure they are doing their jobs as responsibly as possible, adding that a patient once got annoyed with her for not prescribing her Mifegymiso without meeting with her first.

“It is not an antibiotic,” said MacQuarrie. “It’s a medication that needs to be used carefully, so we make sure people meet the eligibility criteria, that all the careful steps are being taken to make sure we’re taking safe care of women, not increasing their risk.”

She noted that the majority of the abortions she deals with are medical, not surgical.

Shannon Hardy, founder and co-ordinator of Abortion Support Services Atlantic, said she believes more health professionals should prescribe Mifegymiso, but she said a bigger problem for her is a lack of education and understanding about abortion.

While she’s pleased the province recently implemented a self-referral line, she believes people need to become more comfortable discussing abortion and treating it as a fact of life instead of a taboo subject.

“It needs to be known that abortion is health care and it’s not some dirty little secret,” she said.

“If people don’t have access to health care, then we don’t have universal health care.”

Lenore Zann, Politician

A VICTORY FOR WOMEN regarding gender discrimination in the workplace in Nova Scotia!

My Members Statement in the Legislature today: “Mr Speaker, I was happy to sponsor an EQUITY WATCH Press Conference here at Province House yesterday about gender discrimination. Two veteran women firefighters, employed for years by the Halifax Fire Service, expressed their shock and anger at a recent decision by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

Kathy Symington, and Liane Tessier both had their original complaints of gender discrimination and harassment dismissed by the NS Human Rights Commission.

Symington, an experienced firefighter, joined the Halifax Fire Service 20 years ago - one of only five female firefighters on the force.

Liane Tessier, who won her own case in 2017, notes “This is an insult to all women who face systemic gender discrimination.”
So I’m happy to report today that within 24 hours of our press conference Ms Symington has received a letter from the Human Rights Commission today saying that they WILL now investigate her whole complaint.

Mr Speaker this just proves that when women get together and work together we can get things done and change the status quo! CONGRATS TO MS SYMINGTON & EQUITY WATCH!”