Moncton — Nearly 50 individual and organizational members of the Coalition for Pay Equity met virtually on Saturday, June 5, 2021 for their Annual General Meeting.
The election of its 2021-2022 Board of Directors saw the victory of Krysta Cowling as the Coalition's Chair. “Everyone deserves to be paid fairly for the value of their work. Fair pay also means access to adequate housing and education. It can mean access to child care and support services. It can mean better health for the individual and lower health care costs for the system. A fair wage is important to us, to our future,” stated Krysta Cowling, Chair of the Coalition.
"I hope to use my skills and experience as a community leader in this role," she adds.
Krysta Cowling is a community builder. She has been working for over 10 years in the non-profit sector working on the ground in communities to address fundamental needs like health care, food, and transportation. She is currently a Project Manager, helping non-profit organizations stay organized and on task while achieving their community vision. She is motivated by projects that contain a social and environmental impact, she says.
The AGM maked the end of Frances LeBlanc's mandate, after four years as the Coalition's Chair. "We are greatful for Frances' exceptional work as our organization's Chair. Her great commitment, her skillful presence in both the French and English media, as well as her managerial skills all contributed to make her an excellent spokesperson for the Coalition during the four years of her mandate", stated Isabelle McKee-Allain, Francophone Vice-Chair of the Coalition.
“As I reflect on the last 4 years, what is evident is that our collective and individual efforts matter. As we face resistance, we must ensure we address, manage, and most importantly persevere. As your peer and fellow member, I am re-committing whole-heartedly to supporting the work of the Coalition through my actions, beliefs, and contributions,” stated Frances LeBlanc, the Coalition's outgoing Chair.
At the virtual event, the Coalition amended its bylaws, elected new board members and outlined its accomplishments for 2020-2021.
The Coalition welcomes four new members, including the Chair, to its Board of Directors: Audrey Gagnon as the South East representative, Alanna Bohnsack as the Capital Region representative and Sylvia Melanson as the Kent-Miramichi representative.
Members of the 2021-2022 Board of Directors:
- Krysta Cowling, Chair
- Isabelle McKee-Allain, Francophone Vice-Chair
- Sharon Crabb, Anglophone Vice-Chair
- Monique Lévesque, Secretary-Treasurer
- Wenona Labillois, Aboriginal Representative
- Yannick Bujold, North Representative
- Audrey Gagnon, South-East Representative
- Lise Hitchcock, Upper River Valley Representative
- Sylvia Melanson, Kent-Miramichi Representative
- Andrea Hatt, South Representative
- Alanna Bohnsack, Capital Region Representative
In 2021-2022, the Coalition will continue its advocacy for public investments in order to achieve pay equity in the caregiving sector. It will ensure that the provincial government engages in collaboration with the federal government to expand the child care system in New Brunswick. It will continue to promote the right to pay equity and the adoption of regulations to the federal Pay Equity Act, adopted in 2018.
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the Coalition for Pay Equity. Following the World March of Women in New York, to which 139 women from New Brunswick participated, the Women’s Union for Pay Equity consolidated and became the Coalition in June 16th, 2021.
The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity is a group of individuals and organizations that pursues and ensures the realization of the right to pay equity and to just conditions of work for women. To that end, the Coalition engages in communication, education, research, advocacy for the adoption and the implementation of adequate legislation, as well as public policy dialogue and development.
Pay equity is equal pay for work of equal value. To achieve pay equity, the value of female-dominated jobs must be compared to the value of male-dominated jobs.