The Provincial Government is seeking feedback from the public as it moves to replace the decades-old Status of Women Advisory Council Act with new legislation that is inclusive of gender-diverse people. This will mark the first substantive review of the legislation since it was enacted in 1980.

In 2021, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador underwent a restructuring process which resulted in changes to the then-named Office for the Status of Women. These changes included the creation of an Office of Women and Gender Equality with a dedicated focus on the needs and issues of concern for gender-diverse individuals.

Within this expanded mandate, the Office of Women and Gender Equality remains responsible for the Status of Women Advisory Council Act, which governs the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, an arms-length, legislated organization that reports to the minister on matters relating to the status of women in Newfoundland and Labrador.

By repealing and replacing the existing Act, consideration will be given, but not limited, to:

• Updating the name of the Act and advisory council to reflect gender diversity.
• Allowing the advisory council’s mandate to expand to include issues of concern for 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in the province.
• Re-defining/restructuring the responsibilities, duties and powers of all council members and staff, including the President and Chief Executive Officer.
• Clarifying the composition of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, including membership criteria and term limits.
• Strengthening mechanisms of accountability.
• Modernizing the language of the Act.

The first phase of consultations will be conducted online, where participants complete a questionnaire or provide written submissions about what they would like to see in a new act. The online questionnaire and information regarding written submissions is available at engageNL.ca. Deadline for questionnaires and written submissions is February 23, 2024.

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“As the needs of residents in our province change, so must the services, programs and entities that serve them. We are committed to improving the well-being of women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people in our province. Modernizing the Act is a needed and positive step forward.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

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Status of Women Advisory Council Act

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