QUEEN'S PARK — "This year on International Women’s Day, we must highlight the many ways that women have been disproportionately affected by the current challenging moment, and fight for the changes our society must see in order to make the lives of women better and more prosperous in Ontario and everywhere.

So many women make up the essential frontline workers helping us to get through the pandemic, and it’s essential that we honour the incredible contributions of women who are PSWs, registered nurses, teachers and education workers, food and retail workers, many of whom are denied protections like a fair wage and benefits including paid sick days and affordable, non-profit child care.

BIPOC women, seniors, women with disabilities and trans women have been disproportionately impacted by social injustice and by the pandemic, and a just recovery must include an equity strategy that ensures hard-hit communities and individuals are supported.

Women comprise the bulk of small business owners and entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19, as well as the gig economy and creative and culture workers whose industries have suffered greatly — the designers, musicians, visual artists, festival organizers, comedians, etc. for whom an arts strategy is needed to help their industries recover and prosper.

It is crucial that a robust 'she-covery' be a fundamental part of the post-pandemic economic recovery. 

As Ontario NDP Women’s Issues critic, I will continue to fight for the rights and opportunities of women and girls. This includes pushing for the passage of my motion for an Intersectional Gender Equity Strategy, which would ensure that every piece of government policy in the province be considered through a gender equity lens, so that women and girls are best supported, with special consideration to those who have disproportionately borne the weight of societal injustice.

Thank you for all that you’ve done, and happy International Women’s Day!"