Sharon O'Brien, Chairperson of the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, announces changes to its nine-person membership following a decision by the PEI Government's Executive Council.
"Our Minister Responsible, Pat Mella, and her colleagues in Cabinet recently finalized the reappointment of Maxine Ellis from West Cape, and new appointments of Jackie MacNeill Doiron of Charlottetown and Darlene Peters, a resident of Souris. The terms of Mary Nicholson of Charlottetown and Marguerite Arsenault of Souris were not renewed.
The Advisory Council requests that the appointments include women from all parts of the province collectively portraying regional, cultural and ethnic diversity. Just before the terms are up for renewal or the maximum five year positions are over, the Advisory Council presents the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women with names and biographies of possible candidates.
The Council's nominations are selected after consultation with women's groups in various communities across the Island. States O'Brien, "Even though Cabinet takes nominations from the general public and other Cabinet members, the Advisory Council tries to get women appointed who have a demonstrated interest in social justice issues, especially equality, and are community workers."
The Advisory Council also lobbies for appointments that will represent the various population sectors in the province so that diversity is achieved. Even though the Council only meets formally four times a year, we have a number of opportunities to develop policy and programs that will advance the quality of life for all Islanders. In order to come up with a strong opinion based on good democracy and consensus building, we need good debate on the issues from various perspectives and personal experience, states Chairperson O'Brien, adding, "Our nomination package routinely requests that Executive Council consider candidates who are equality-seekers from various population sectors such as: youth, seniors, aboriginal women, francophone women, women of colour, immigrant women, women with varying abilities and disabilities, and economic position."
Maxine Ellis is very active in her community and has been reappointed after a two-year term on the Council. She is a licensed financial planner and RRSP administrator employed at the Central Credit Union, O'Leary. She volunteers with community organizations including the Community Arena and canvassing for charities. Maxine lives in West Cape with her husband and son.
Jackie MacNeill Doiron, is from Montague and currently residing in Charlottetown with her husband. She has been appointed for three years. Jackie keeps a busy volunteer calendar at events like the Soggy Reid Telethon, and annual food drives, when not ather work at the Summerside Tax Agency.
Darlene Peters, lives and works in Souris with her husband. She has two daughters and one son. Active in the family fishing business, she also makes time to do community service. Over the years, she has worked with the Eastern Kings Tourism and Eastern Ventures/Community Futures, IWK Grace Telethon, Special Olympics Board of Directors and is involved in religious studies.
Chairperson O'Brien, "I look forward to meeting the new Council members and hearing about issues in their communities, and advancing the status of women and families in this province. And I want to thank Mary Nicholson and Marguerite Arsenault for their dedication and work the past three years on the many projects of the Advisory Council, such as lobbying for legal aid for family law and increasing young women's self-esteem through sport."
The Advisory Council is a nine-member advisory agency of the PEI government. The Council is mandated to advise the provincial government and bring before the public matters relating to the status of women.
Contact: Sharon O'Brien, Chairperson, 368-4510
Lisa Murphy, 368-4510