Gordon Campbell seems to have a major disconnect with women; perhaps that is why a pamphlet has appeared on the government caucus website (pdf) under the heading "A New Era for Women". It misrepresents what government has done in terms of communities, health services, child care and self-sufficiency (code language for kicking people off welfare). The word "equality" does not appear in the pamphlet. The Campbell government abolished the Ministry of Women's Equality, replacing it with a junior Minister of State for Women's Equality and then abolishing the word completely with a new Minister of State for Women's and Senior's Services. The government caucus pamphlet carries a smiling photo of the Premier with a note that begins by saying "Women contribute to every aspect of our quality of life - owning and operating 37 per cent of our small businesses and holding key roles in our province's academic, business and public life." A note about participation in small business seems out of place next to the pamphlet's box that lists resources for violence against women, resources for family services and other services - all of which have been cut by the Campbell government - but it reinforces the image many have of the Premier.

The pamphlet on the government caucus website is similar to one on the website for the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services (pdf). That version doesn't carry the Premier's smiling image, but elsewhere on the Ministry's website one can find a letter from Campbell to the junior Minister, Ida Chong. He tells Chong that priorities are to "Develop a strategy outlining activities and initiatives that profile and promote women's role in the province's economy", and to "Develop a cross ministry strategy to reduce violence against girls and women by focusing on prevention activities." The Campbell government's contracting out of health and social service jobs has disproportionately hurt women and driven down their wages. The Campbell government has eliminated funding to women's centres that provide rape relief, and has instead offered a 1-800 line. Chong needs to act as a advocate rather than as an apologist for government cuts.

The Mustel Group regularly measures public opinion on the top issues of concern. The top of mind issues for voters today are issues that tend to be of more concern to women. In the most recent poll almost 35% of those surveyed put health care as their top concern; less than 15% chose the economy. As the primary caregivers for both children and seniors, problems in health care translate into problems for Campbell with women voters. Since the raid on the legislature, "government" now exceeds the economy as a top concern. "Government" includes competence, credibility and integrity. After his escapade in Maui, Campbell's support, measured by Ipsos-Reid, increased among men and declined among women. It is not surprising that in the wake of the raid on the legislature, the resignation of a cabinet Minister over the Walls affair, and a "review" of unauthorized write-offs to fish farms, women are losing confidence in the Campbell government. No matter what Campbell may say about women and small business, it will not distract from his failure to perform on the top issues of concern.