Dear Friends,

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect upon and celebrate the social, political and economic advances of women in Canada and around the world. In this country, women have realized tremendous gains since Canadians first marked International Women’s day in 1977 yet systemic forms of discrimination still leave many women susceptible to violence, discrimination and exploitation.

On this International Women’s Day, I’m travelling to Iqaluit, Nunavut with my colleagues Jean Crowder, MP for Nanaimo—Cowichan and federal NDP Aboriginal Affairs  Critic, and Chris Charlton, MP for Hamilton Mountain and federal NDP Human Resources and Skills Development Critic. We will be meeting with elected representatives, community organizers and community activists regarding health issues in the North. I look forward very much to celebrating International Women’s Day in the North and meeting with remarkable women who dedicate their lives to women’s equality in their own communities and throughout Canada.

International Women’s Day is a time to re-affirm our commitment to challenging all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and violence against women. I believe that all Canadian women deserve fairness, opportunity, equal pay for equal value of work, a decent standard of living, and the freedom to live without fear. I will continue to speak out on the issues that matter to women and I will never stop in my efforts to ensure the full and equal rights of all women in all aspects of their lives.

Sincerely,

Libby