SASKATOON — Although there are a lot of challenges that women are facing now, Saskatchewan NDP MLA Brittney Senger said cases of domestic violence and reproductive rights are the issues that she is taking personally. The rookie legislator represents Saskatoon Southeast and is the Shadow Minister for the Status of Women.
Based on statistics from the Saskatchewan RCMP in 2023, intimate partner violence increased by almost 10 per cent at 813 per 100,000 population compared to 732 in 2022, while family-related violence rose by nearly 18 per cent from 730 to 890. Their report also showed that both cases have increased by 13 per cent in the last five years.
“Saskatchewan has double the national average of intimate partner violence. We must invest in social services and community-based organizations so that there are resources and places for women to go if they are looking to leave an abusive relationship,” Senger told SaskToday after attending Saturday’s Women’s March Saskatoon at the YWCA.
“Also, access to abortion is essential. Saskatoon is the furthest northern place in Saskatchewan where you can access a surgical abortion. There are women across the province that need access to reproductive rights and reproductive health.”
As one of the new MLAs in the opposition, she added that she is thankful for the entire provincial NDP Caucus, which works collaboratively to urge the government to fulfill its obligations to the people of Saskatchewan.
“My colleagues in the opposition, like Vicki Mowat, who is the Shadow Minister for Health, we are working very hard to advocate for women's rights and women's health. I am also working with my other colleagues to ensure that we're doing things to invest in social services. To call on the minister and encourage the public to take action. We can do that by running petitions, speaking out, and advocating for policy change,” said Senger.
Mowat is the MLA for Saskatoon Fairview and the Opposition’s Deputy Leader. Brent Blakely of Regina Wascana Plains (Social Services) and Meara Conway of Regina Elphinstone Centre, the Opposition’s Deputy House Leader (Rural and Remote Health), are the other NDP critics who may help Senger.
Their government counterparts are Ministers Alana Ross (Status of Women, Prince Albert-Northcote), Jeremy Cockrill (Health, The Battlefords), Terry Jenson (Social Services, Warman), and Lori Carr (Rural and Remote Health, Estevan-Big Muddy).
Although still adjusting to her new job after working for several non-profit groups, Senger said the last three months since joining the NDP team that won 27 seats in the Legislature in the 2024 provincial elections had been a great experience. Thirteen of the Opposition’s MLAs are women.
“I'm enjoying it. I love the opportunity to make a change. I'm proud to work with a nearly 50 per cent women's caucus and to have a woman leader [Beck]. Everybody has just been supportive. Being here today [Women’s March] with so many of my NDP colleagues and standing up for something that we believe in, when there's nobody from the Sask Party, I think, really shows that our values are aligned, and we're working to push things forward,” said Senger.
She added that the world has slightly changed regarding women’s issues, but it is not enough. The same conversations often arise, albeit in a different context, and we are still far from having an equitable and just society.
“We're behind. We must prioritize women’s health and ensure it's accessible to everyone. We need access to reproductive services, including medical and surgical abortion. We need affordable and free contraceptives for everyone who needs them and gender-affirming care. We need to invest in healthcare by ensuring that we have more healthcare professionals who can provide services, and we need to train and retain them. And we need the infrastructure to report services,” said Senger, also the Shadow Minister for Disabilities and Community-Based Organizations.
“Change is hard and slow, but we're part of something bigger, and that's why we're here today. This is a movement for equity, justice, and dignity. I am committed to investing in healthcare for all, fighting for policies that protect women and marginalized communities, and standing up against gender-based violence. We need to build a society where everyone can thrive. Together, we can create the change we wish to see.”
