CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Despite a shuffle Wednesday, Prince Edward Island continues to have the fewest women in cabinet among the Canadian provinces, according to the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government.
The current cabinet includes two women among the 11 cabinet positions, representing 18 per cent.
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While Paula Biggar and Tina Mundy maintain their cabinet posts, the coalition was disappointed that Kathleen Casey was not included among Wednesday’s appointments.
“Utilizing the full complement of elected women in the Liberal caucus would bring the percentage of women in cabinet much closer in line with the 30 per cent critical mass identified by the United Nations,” said the coalition’s executive director Dawn Wilson.
“Having more women at the decision-making table increases the potential for policy and programs that meet the needs of Island women and the under-representation of women in cabinet severely limits the opportunity for women’s voices to be heard.”
The coalition is encouraging the premier and his cabinet to seek consultation with women’s organizations to apply gender and diversity analysis to policies and programs.
