NB politics pioneer Elizabeth Weir reflects on Holt’s victory

For Elizabeth Weir, Monday’s election is a memorable event.

“My reaction and emotion was just a combination of joy and relief: quite palpable joy at seeing this historic moment in which a woman was elected as our prime minister, and genuine relief that the previous government was no longer there,” Weir said in an interview CBC Radio Change.

Weir was the leader of the NDP in New Brunswick from 1988 to 2005 and was the party’s sole MLA from 1992 to 2005.

Prime Minister candidate Susan Holt is one of a record 17 women who won seats in this election, which Weir says is significant.

“Well, it matters because the issues that shape women’s lives, the policies of our Legislature, the legislation it passes can profoundly impact women’s lives,” Holt said of the victory.

During her tenure, Weir was known for her wit on daily questions and her skill during controversial debates.

She left elected politics when former premier Bernard Lord named her the first president and CEO of Efficiency New Brunswick.

Weir traveled around the world training others in democratic governance and oversight, working with parliamentarians, political party activists and community leaders.

She cooperated with the United Nations and the National Democratic Institute, an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, operating in 55 countries.

Here at home, she has advocated for greater representation of women in politics through the organization Women for 50%, of which she is one of the founders.

Weir criticized the outgoing Higgs government for its handling of issues such as Policy 713 and access to abortion.

“That’s why women have to be the decision-makers to make these changes, so it’s hugely important.”

Weir said she felt fortunate to have had the example of women who came before her, such as Brenda Robertson, who was the first woman elected to the New Brunswick Legislature in 1967 and later the first woman to hold a cabinet position.

She also pointed to Alexa McDonough, the first woman to lead a major party in Nova Scotia, who became NDP provincial leader in 1980 and later led the federal party.

“There was no women’s restroom in the Nova Scotia Legislature for MLAs to use. If you can… imagine that,” Weir said.

“So I really benefited from that. They gave me advice and support. We were in different parties. I worked with them sometimes.”

Weir also said she thanked former prime minister Richard Hatfield, who ruled from 1970 to 1987, for appointing women from his caucus to his cabinet.

“You know, when I arrived, it really was a very different atmosphere than what Alexa experienced in the neighboring province of Nova Scotia,” Weir said.

“I see this because I have a responsibility to help women in different ways so that they can continue to make these changes.”

Weir stated that there is no silver bullet to achieving gender equality, but there are some benefits.

“I kept thinking about all the little girls across the province watching Susan’s speech on election night, and how profound a change and impact that could have,” Weir said.

“It’s time to celebrate. We know that in politics we don’t always have good news, and this is certainly it.