Patricia Roy-Ballem, Chairperson of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, expressed condolences to the family of the late Jean Canfield today on behalf of the Advisory Council.
"Ms. Canfield's success as the first woman elected on Prince Edward Island to the Provincial Legislative Assembly in 1970 began a distinguished career of firsts for Island women," states Roy-Ballem. "She became a role model that continues to guide Island women today."
During her nine years as a political representative for First Queens, Ms. Canfield had the distinction of also becoming the first woman ever appointed to serve as a Cabinet Minister in the Provincial Government. In response to a federal government report recommending that Provincial governments investigate the status of women within their jurisdictions, Ms. Canfield was called upon to serve as the Chair of the Provincial Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, whose task was to look specifically at the status of women in PEI.
"Her role as the Chair of the Provincial Advisory Committee ultimately lead to the creation of the current PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women," notes Roy-Ballem. "Ms. Canfield will be long remembered for the important role that she played in bringing recognition to Island women's contributions."
Contact: Patricia Roy-Ballem, Chairperson, 368-4510
Heidi Rankin, Director, 368-4510