NDP Statement on Persons Day

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

“On this day in 1929, the efforts of five courageous women – Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby, Nellie McClung, and Henrietta Muir Edwards – led to women being recognized as legal persons in Canada, paving the way for more women to be involved in public life.

But that decision didn’t put an end to the struggle for equality. Women of colour and Indigenous women continued to be disenfranchised for decades. And even now, women are underrepresented in politics across the country.

So while we celebrate the accomplishments of the Famous Five, let’s also reflect on how far we still have to go. As long as Indigenous women are over-represented in prisons, as long as older women are trapped in poverty, as long as all women are paid less than men at work – and as long as women still have to fear violence and harassment – the work remains unfinished.

For decades, Liberal and Conservative governments have failed to act on gender equality. And the current Liberal government has let women down. They talk a good game, but they’ve failed to follow through with the solutions that are needed right now. New Democrats will keep pushing for those solutions – universal, affordable childcare, coverage for contraceptives and abortion, and investments to implement solutions on pay equity and end violence against women.”