TORONTO, ON – Bonnie Crombie, Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, and the women of the Ontario Liberal caucus — Stephanie Bowman, Lucille Collard, Andrea Hazell, Karen McCrimmon and Mary-Margaret McMahon — have released a joint statement in response to the Conservatives denying women the right to speak in the Legislature on International Women’s Day:
“International Women’s Day is supposed to be a time to recognize the progress achieved in women’s rights and empower us all to continue striving for equality — not to play petty politics.
“By denying our request to speak in the Legislature, Doug Ford and his Conservatives have made the deliberate decision to silence women on a day meant to celebrate our social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.
“This is a gross abuse of power, and sends the wrong message to all the girls and boys across Ontario who look up to us for leadership.
“Strong, independent women will not be told to sit down and shut up. We urge the Conservative government to do the right thing, reverse this disgraceful treatment, and allow our participation.”