QUEBEC CITY – A debate centered around equality between men and women at the National Assembly has turned into a nasty political feud between two female politicians.
In a hearing last week, the Status of Women critic for the Parti Quebecois (PQ), Carole Poirier, accused the government of putting in austerity measures which were “acts of violence” against women.
“It’s not true! My government for two years, we don’t do that,” Status of Women Minister, Lise Thériault, said in defense.
On Tuesday, Poirier tried to clarify her remarks, saying she used the term “violence” as an “unfortunate metaphor.”
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“At the bottom of this, Liberal austerity hurts women,” Poirier said.
A research institute in Quebec called Institut de recherche et d’informations socio-économiques (IRIS) did find austerity impacted women, economically-speaking, more than men.
In a study published last year, IRIS found measures to boost the economy typically were invested in infrastructure construction, benefiting industries that employ more men. At the same time, austerity meant cutting back in the public service where more women are employed.
Minister Thériault said she’s hurt and outraged by Poirier’s comments and demands an apology. If not, she said the leader of the Parti Quebecois should take away Poirier’s file.
“We’re supposed to have debate, and good debate, not that kind of debate,” she said, adding, “It’s not logical. What did she say? It’s not logical.”
However, PQ leader Pierre Karl Peladeau said his Status of Women critic adequately explained herself and he doesn’t think an apology is needed.
“I would say that the Liberals, they need to calm down a little bit with the words they are using. It’s certainly not the right way to make sure that we will go in the right direction.”
Nothing in the dispute over the last couple of days touched on how the politicians plan to make the lives of women better in the future.
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