Famous last words

October 10, 2007

Women’s rights heroines would be proud of PC candidate, ex-mayor says

By MEGAN GILLIS, SUN MEDIA

Ottawa-Centre Conservative candidate Trina Morissette rallied with a former Ottawa mayor against the backdrop of a monument to revered Canadian women yesterday to argue on the election eve that she’d be a strong voice for working women.

The Liberal government has neglected issues women care about, she said at a rain-soaked press conference at the monument to the Famous Five on Parliament Hill.

“Ottawa women are fed up with the Liberals and their lack of action on class sizes, autism, the doctor shortage and senior care,” Morissette said.

“Dalton McGuinty’s government is so heartless that it is even suing the parents of autistic children.”

Morissette, a 34-year-old lawyer, promised a Conservative government would boost the number of family doctors, support efforts to recruit and retain physicians and bring more health professionals to family health teams.

It would also bring 35,000 substandard long-term care beds up to par, ensure access to care for seniors and expand home care.

“The Famous Five would be so honoured and proud to have a young woman of the calibre of Trina Morissette putting her name on the ballot,” said former mayor Jackie Holzman, who said Morissette has the backing of many prominent local women.

“Dozens of women have said Trina will give the strong voice for Ottawa that’s needed at Queen’s Park.”

GENDER INEQUITY

Seventy-eight years after the Famous Five made history, there still aren’t enough women at Queen’s Park, Holzman said, arguing that Ottawa-Centre voters could address that inequity by electing Morissette.

The Famous Five — Emily Murphy, Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby — were five Alberta women who fought all the way to the Privy Council of Great Britain, then Canada’s final appeal court for women to be considered “persons” under the law.