It’s not a coincidence that West Kootenay MLA Katrine Conroy chose to announce her endorsement of NDP leadership candidate Mike Farnworth on International Women’s Day.
“Mike’s priorities, from his commitments to expand childcare and increase supports to single parent families, to his promise for a commission on 21st century education, to his commitment to ensuring there are more resources for seniors care, are all concrete steps to addressing the challenges that women face,” Conroy said in a release on Tuesday.
She said he understands that real equality for women requires a large improvement in programs that assist women across the province.
“In all the years I’ve know Mike, I’ve appreciated him as a friend and as a leader,” Conroy said. “Given his open and sincere style, and his strong commitment to this issue, it is no surprise to me that so many women from across the province also wanted to endorse Mike on this day.”
Thirty-two other B.C. women, including Conroy, chose to endorse Farnworth on Tuesday.
Farnworth said if elected, he will establish a Ministry of Women’s Equality.
“And the real answers lie in addressing poverty through my poverty reduction strategy, addressing violence against women and girls, increasing educational opportunities, improving access to quality, affordable childcare, and removing the barriers to employment for women,” Farnworth said.