Abbott Breaks Promise to Meet with Women's Centres November 4 2003

BC Coalition of Women's Centres

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Media Advisory
For immediate release
November 4, 2003

Abbott breaks Promise to Meet with Women’s Centres

BC- The provincial Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services, George Abbott, refuses to meet with Women’s Centres. The very Minister responsible for the closure of dozens of Women’s Centres across the province beginning in December 2003, once again refuses to discuss the decision. Clearly Minister Abbott is not prepared to face the devastation he is causing women and communities in BC.

In an interview last month, Minister Abbott told Okanagan media that he would meet with Women’s Centres and that we simply had to contact his office to set up a time. On October 7th, 2003, the BC Coalition of Women’s Centres wrote Minister Abbott a letter requesting the meeting, but late last week, his office told the Coalition “he just can’t fit it in”. Apparently he does not have an available appointment time between now and March 31, 2004.

This action is typical of the BC Liberals closed-door policy. Minister Abbott along with many of his colleagues do not see it as his job to talk people who do not agree with them or who want to hold the BC Liberals accountable for abandoning everyone except their friends. This from the same people who promised to have the most open, accountable and transparent government in the history of the province. MLA’s doors are locked all over the province --shutting out communities and slamming the door on democracy in BC.

Women in Bc have no time to wait. All 37 Women’s Centres across the province of British Columbia will see their provincial funding cut by 100% on March 31, 2004.

The BC Coalition of Women’s Centres is calling on the BC Liberals to restore democracy in BC and end their closed-door style of governing.

If you have questions/comments for BCCWC, please e-mail us at bcwomen@telus.net For other contact information, please go to our Information Page

BC Coalition of Women's Centres • British Columbia, Canada
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