Part III - Measures Adopted by the Governments of the Provinces - New Brunswick

Article 2: Anti-Discrimination Measures

Complaints of gender-related discrimination

285. From April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004, the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission had 31 complaints (11 percent of all complaints) filed on the basis of sex discrimination. Another 20 complaints (seven percent) were filed on the basis of sexual harassment.

286. From April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005, the Commission had 26 complaints (seven percent) filed on the basis of sex discrimination and 14 complaints (four percent) were filed on the basis of sexual harassment.

287. From April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, the Commission had 33 complaints (11 percent) filed on the basis of sex discrimination and 22 complaints (seven percent) were filed on the basis of sexual harassment.

Aboriginal women

288. Memoranda of Understanding agreeing to facilitate, where possible, the development and enhancement of community based, justice-related programs and services in respect of Aboriginal people in New Brunswick were signed in 2000 and in 2003.

Aboriginal women in custody

289. Offenders have access to designated Native Elders in relation to spiritual and other counselling. In New Brunswick, Aboriginal women are not over-represented in prisons.

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Article 3: Measures to Ensure the Advancement of Women

Violence against women and girls

290. The Domestic Violence Court Project is part of the Government's second action plan, titled A Better World for Women: Moving Forward 2005-2010. The commitments in this action plan are a continuation of initiatives from the first action plan. The initiatives were chosen based on advice received through consultations and training provided throughout New Brunswick, findings from close examinations of existing service delivery gaps, best practices in other jurisdictions, and the ongoing input from the Minister's Working Group on Violence Against Women. A domestic violence court site for this initial pilot project has been chosen.

291. With the implementation of sexual assault services province-wide, it is expected that all New Brunswick victims of sexual assault will be much better served.

Aboriginal women

292. As a result of the national Policy Forum on Aboriginal Women and Violence organized by federal-provincial-territorial Status of Women Ministers, the New Brunswick Minister responsible for the Status of Women has begun working with Aboriginal women in New Brunswick to identify concrete steps to be taken to address violence against Aboriginal women in the province.

Shelters for victims of violence

293. For information on funding for women's crisis centres and shelters, see paragraphs 456 to 459 of Canada's Fifth Report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. New Brunswick has one transition house for Aboriginal women, Gignoo House, which serves both on- and off-reserve Aboriginal women.

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Article 6: Trafficking of Women and Exploitation

294. In New Brunswick, victims of trafficking are eligible for all available victims of crime support services.

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Article 7: Women in Politics and Public Life

295. In 2005, seven out of 26 Deputy Ministers in New Brunswick were women. In late 2005, 16 percent of provincially appointed judges were women (five of 32), up from 13 percent the previous year and from eight percent in 1996. Eleven percent of New Brunswick's Members of the Legislative Assembly were women (six of 55), down from 18 percent (10 of 55) in 1999. Four of the 15 First Nations Chiefs in New Brunswick were women.

296. The Government of New Brunswick created a Commission on Legislative Democracy, mandated to make recommendations on strengthening and modernizing the electoral system. This includes consultations on more equitable and effective representation in the Legislative Assembly.

297. The Advisory Council on the Status of Women, in partnership with the Commission on Legislative Democracy, launched a public awareness campaign to inform women of the Commission's work for women's representation in public office. Eleven information sessions were held around the province.

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Article 10: Education

298. The dropout rate of all female students in Grades 7-12 (public education) has declined from 2.4 percent in 1994 to 1.9 percent in 2005. For the same year, the dropout rate for boys is 2.8 percent. The Government is aware that the dropout rate for Aboriginal children living in First Nations communities and attending public school is higher than that of the general population, and is working to improve this situation. Children in New Brunswick are required by the Education Act to remain in school until they reach the age of 18 or graduate. There are several programs and services in place to assist all children to remain in school until they acquire a high school diploma.

299. Alternative Education programs and services are one facet of a school districts continuum on interventions to serve all students. Numerous models of alternative education programs and services have been developed throughout the province to serve local needs. Alternative learning centres and programs focus on behavioural, academic, and vocational intervention strategies designed to meet the needs of the diverse students served.

300. Pursuant to the 2004-2008 Provincial Health Plan, the government of New Brunswick has created a variety of initiatives to support individuals training to become physicians, nurses, or other health professionals. Initiatives include:

  • medical student bursaries (physicians);
  • supernumerary residency training (physicians);
  • summer rural Preceptorships (physicians);
  • Refresher Course Tuition Reimbursement (nurses);
  • Student Nurse Practitioner Education Subsidy (nurse practitioners);
  • Provincial Health Bursary programme (allied health professionals).

301. While none of these programs specifically targets women, women disproportionately access the programs. For example, 23 females and 17 males have received bursaries for physician education, while 33 females and eight males were offered bursaries in allied health professions.

Aboriginal women and girls

302. A particular focus is being placed on education for First Nations students. The Government of New Brunswick is developing literacy strategies and targets to specifically address the achievement of its First Nations student population, and works collaboratively with First Nation communities to improve the learning outcomes of First Nation students in the public education system, as well as those enrolled in schools in their community. The Government continues to ensure that public school programming is culturally sensitive and that specific curriculum and services are supported, such as language courses and awareness events.

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Article 11: Employment

303. Please see paragraphs 437-439 of Canada's Fifth Report on International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Employment measures

304. The Government has allocated $150,000 in scholarships to be awarded to students enrolled in non-traditional training programs at the New Brunswick Community College Network. The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage women to explore a wider variety of career choices in non-traditional areas such as technical or trade, and to address skills and labour shortages in New Brunswick. Fifty-seven scholarships for full tuition for the first year of study have been awarded for 2006-2007.

305. The Government continued the Summer Mentorship Program for Female Summer Students. This ongoing program provides 14 weeks of summer employment for 44 female students each year. It provides them with an opportunity to be mentored by civil servants in senior level positions or women working in non-traditional jobs.

Affordable childcare

306. In 2006-2007, New Brunswick will invest over $31 million in childcare initiatives that support wages for childcare workers that support affordability and that will help make long-term investments in childcare.

307. There are 2,933 more day care spaces then there were in 1999.

308. The average wages of child day care staff have increased dramatically: from $7.04 in 2001 to the end of 2006, when trained staff working in child care facilities will earn the equivalent of $11.15 per hour (untrained staff will earn the equivalent of $9.60 per hour).

309. Since September 2004, the families of an additional 996 children have benefited from significant financial assistance with their child care as a result of substantial changes New Brunswick made to the Day Care Assistance Program, as outlined in paragraph 454 of Canada's Fifth Report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

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Article 12: Health

Access to health care

310. Improved access to care and services is one of the four priority areas of the New Brunswick Provincial Health Plan. Significant initiatives are underway in 14 areas, from the development of Community Health Centres to Ambulance Services enhancements.

311. Health system responsiveness compares well with other parts of Canada – access to family physicians is above the Canadian average, and outcome measures show improvements, e.g., in access to immediate care, routine health services, and home care, 90 percent of New Brunswickers report satisfaction with health care services.

312. For a full description of the Provincial Health Plan, and the 2005 Health Care Report Card, see http://www.gnb.ca/0051/pdf/healthplan-2004-2008_e.pdf and http://www.gnb.ca/0051/pub/pdf/3780e-final-compressed.pdf.

Specific health issues

313. The New Brunswick Breast Cancer Screening Service operates 16 sites for mammography screening, targeting women between 50 and 69 years of age. Based on data released in 2005, the two-year participation rate of the target population is 55 percent. The long-term goal of the service is to increase two-year participation rates to 70 percent, which will be expected to reduce mortality from breast cancer by 30 percent.

314. Early Childhood Initiatives are prevention-focused services to pregnant women, infants, and young children. Services include prenatal education (including nutritional counselling and nutritional supplements).

315. New Brunswick promotes the World Health Organization's Baby Friendly Initiative, leading over 70 percent of new mothers to initiate breast feeding – a 15 percent increase since 1994.

316. The Government of New Brunswick is committed to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, working with a number of community groups. Regional Public Health staff provides HIV Testing programs in the community and the provincial and federal correctional facilities. The program provides pre- and post-test counselling for interested clients.

317. In October 2004, New Brunswick implemented the Smoke-free Places Act, banning smoking in all enclosed public spaces and indoor workplaces. The Act is enforced through a coordinated approach including Public Health, Liquor License, and Health and Safety inspectors. Three charges were laid under the Act in 2004-2005.

Aboriginal women

318. In its effort to assist in reducing health disparities that exist between New Brunswick's First Nations people and other New Brunswickers, the Government of New Brunswick, together with New Brunswick's First Nation communities, Aboriginal organizations (including representation from the New Brunswick Aboriginal Women's organization) and the Government of Canada, is committed to undertake and identify potential opportunities for funding under an Aboriginal Health Transition Fund.

319. Building on earlier work that occurred in 2005, both to understand the health disparities problem and to consult with New Brunswick Aboriginal communities on specific priority areas and actions that could be undertaken to tackle health inequalities amongst New Brunswick's Aboriginal people, the Government will collaborate to produce a provincial-based plan to modify health services to better meet the needs of its Aboriginal people with a view to reducing the disparities that currently exist.

320. The Government and its Regional Health Authorities have and continue to take steps together to address the health needs of its Aboriginal people. Initiatives include:

  • Aboriginal Cultural Awareness training to address service delivery, an area specified as a priority in the Aboriginal Health Blueprint discussions;
  • the introduction in 2006 of tele-mental health and tele-diabetes, two specific health and health service concerns facing Aboriginal people; and
  • additional tele-health services in the areas of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and mental health.
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Article 13: Economic and Social Life

Support programs and services

321. Please see paragraphs 437-439 and 446 of Canada's Fifth Report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

322. The Government of New Brunswick offers an increased wage subsidy for employers hiring a person with a disability.

323. The Government also offers support services to clients and their employers as it relates to supports required for a person with a disability to enter or re-enter the workforce. The intent is to offer training and employment support options to persons with permanent or long-term disabilities who need to develop marketable skills in order to assist them to enter the labour force. These services are provided in full collaboration with the person with a disability in accordance with his/her needs and capabilities. The purpose is to lessen the barriers a person with disabilities faces so that he may be as competitive as the non-disabled population when competing for employment.

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