MONCTON – A spokeswoman for Codiac RCMP’s Victim Services Unit says pay equity is one of the factors keeping women in abusive relationships.
“One of the reasons why they chose to not flee or stay in unhealthy situations is because sometimes its the issue of finances. They don’t know what to do, or where to go” said Ginette Petitpas Taylor.
That’s one of the reasons she says she supports the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity.
Petitpas Taylor attended their annual fundraising launch this morning. The Coalition is hoping to raise some $90,000. The group’s chair, Vallie Stearns, says the money raised will help push ahead lagging work at the government level to address pay equity in the province.
“There’s been incredible delays,” she said. “They’ve put an act in place, now they need to actually finish the application of the law… actually come out with a determination of where the pay inequities are and put that into women and men’s bank accounts.”
Liberal opposition member Victor Boudreau acknowledges the slow progress.
“The government has the tools to make sure pay equity is addressed in the public sector. The problem is they’re not doing it fast enough” he said.
However, Boudreau says they are working to move the issue along in the legislative assembly.
As for Petitpas Taylor, she says for some women higher wages can’t come soon enough.
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