MP speaks at Women's Day breakfast event
Burnaby Now
March 5, 2008 
By: Jennifer Moreau

Women are worse off now thanks to provincial government policies of the past seven years that have worsened poverty and women's economic inequality.

That's from Gillian Creese, director of the centre for women's and gender studies at UBC.

Privatization of public service jobs, changes to minimum wage laws and cuts to social service programs and social assistance are some examples of government practices that encourage poverty, Creese said…

While International Women's Day is an opportunity to celebrate achievements in women's equality, it's also a time to reinvigorate women for the struggles that lie ahead, Black said.

"There so many things we still have to work towards," Black said, adding women still make 71 cents for every dollar men earn and there is no national child-care program or affordable housing.

"If women achieve equality, it's a benefit for everyone in society," Black said. "It would make our country a better place."….