QUEBEC CITY – Quebec’s Minister for the Status of Women has come out to insist remarks she made earlier this week were misconstrued and she is in fact, a feminist.
“If you want a place, take it,” Lise Thériault told reporters, echoing Sheryl Sandberg‘s “Lean In” philosophy.
Thériault came under fire earlier this week when she was quoted saying she wasn’t a “feminist,” but rather, an “egalitarian.”
Thériault was asked to explain her comments at a press conference Thursday in Quebec City.
“I didn’t say I’m not feminist. I say I’m more égalitaire, inclusive feminist,” she said.
“I think people need to be reminded that all through my career, in politics, or not in politics I’m working for the woman, all the time.”
Thériault added the province of Quebec has worked hard to make public life accessible to women, and in particular, young women.
Fellow Liberal minister Dominique Anglade defended Thériault, saying they’ve known each other for many years – and confirmed she is a feminist.
When Anglade was asked if she also identified as being a feminist, the Economy Minister didn’t hesitate, pointing out she was raised by a feminist father and mother.
“Absolutely, I’m feminist,” she said.