Statement from NDP Leader Jim Dinn on the 100th Anniversary for Women’s Right to Vote
- NL NDP
- 2 minutes ago
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For Immediate Release
April 3, 2025
“Today, we celebrate a historic day in our history. April 3rd, 2025 marks the 100 year anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote and hold public office in what was then known as the Dominion of Newfoundland. It wasn’t an easy journey, but suffragists worked tirelessly together over many years to make sure their voices were heard. Even collecting 20,00 signatures on a petition supporting women suffrage, a remarkable feat at that time, and heard they were, and finally got to vote for the first time in the 1928 general election.
Newfoundland was one of the last members of the British Empire to refuse women the vote. We also must remember that this anniversary marks the beginning for Caucasian women to get the right to vote, while Indigenous, and other women of colour, had to keep fighting until Canada brought in legislation. Since April 3, 1925, women and all who support women, continue to raise their voices and fight for what is right.
In 2025, 100 years later, we continue to fight for women. Newfoundland and Labrador still doesn’t have adequate pay equity. Former NDP Leader Gerry Rogers was essential in pushing this legislation. Rogers brought forward a motion in 2017 that was unanimously supported in the House of Assembly. Unfortunately, years later, we are still waiting for regulations. We know that more women are living paycheck to paycheck in this province. This must change.
Right now, only 9 out of 40 elected members in the House of Assembly are women. A far cry from equal representation. We must do better. If this government wants to support women’s rights and open doors for women to get into politics, they must commit to a fixed election date. We know that a fixed election date allows more women to run for politics, allowing them to organize their lives to be able to take the time off needed.
Words are good. Action is better. While we celebrate this moment in our history, we recognize the fight isn’t over. Government must commit to do better for women.”
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For further information, contact Stephanie Curran, Media and Communications Officer, NDP Caucus at 330-0328 (o), or stephaniecurran@gov.nl.ca