Women In Politics Canada

By: Veronica Domke

Introduction

Female representation in politics world wide is a considerable issue with only 21.1% of political positions worldwide being held by females. In Canada the statistics are not much better off. Canada is only ranked 51st in the world for percentage of Woman in politics, behind both Pakistan and Mexico. Gender equality has been a long fought battle across the world, today two thirds of illiterates are female. The majority of people in poverty are also women. Looking at these statistics we can assume they are referring to third world countries however, gender equality has still not been reached here in Canada. What are some of the contributions that have been made by female politicians in the past and are being made currently and in the future what can be done so that woman are represented more in our governments?

Present Day

Past

Canadian female politicians started to have their voices heard in the early 20th century. Receiving the vote in Canada and the ability for woman to hold political positions was a long fought battle. Many powerful politicians like the ones described in the next slides below helped to carve the face of Canadian politics as we know it today and inspire future female politicians to do the same.

Nellie McClung

Agnes Macphail

Thérèse Casgrain

Kim Campbell

Belinda Stronach

Nellie McClung

Nellie McClung was a chief leader in feminism in Canada. She was was born in rural Manitoba and began teaching school at just sixteen years old. She supported woman getting the vote and attempted to defeat Premier Roblin, who strongly disagreed with giving woman the right to vote. She was famous for putting on a political satire in1914 in which the play depicted reversed roles of males and females, poking fun at giving men the right to vote. Together with Emily Murphy, Irene Parlby, Louise McKinney and Henrietta Edwards she fought for the right for woman to be elected into senate, which was called “The Person’s case.” The British North American Act stated that one must be a person to be elected into senate. Nellie McClung argued that women were considered people and should be given an equal chance to be In 1867 when the Act was written the term “person” did not include women. Thanks to Nellie McClungs efforts in October of 1929 the Judicial committee ruled that women were persons and could be appointed to senate.

Nellie McClung

Nellie McClung

Nellie McClung’s efforts made Manitoba the first province to let woman vote in 1916

She opened the gateway for female politicians because woman also received the right to run for office in 1916

She made Manitoba a role model for the other provinces for allowing woman to have the vote and run for office

Nellie McClung

      “Women who set a low value on themselves make life hard for all women.” -Nellie McClung

Date Event

January 28th 1916 Woman in Manitoba receive the right to vote in provincial elections.

March 14th 1916 Woman is Saskatchewan win the right to vote provincially

April 19th 1916 Woman in Alberta win the right to vote provincially

April 5th 1917 Woman in British Columbia receive the right to vote provincially

April 12th 1917 Woman in Ontario receive the right to vote provincially

April 26th 1918 Woman in Nova Scotia receive the right to vote provincially

May 24th 1918 Woman across Canada receive the right to vote in federal elections.

April 17th 1919 Woman receive the right to vote in provincial elections in New Brunswick

May 3rd 1922 Woman in Prince Edward Island receive the right to vote provincially

April 3rd 1925 Woman in Newfoundland and Labrador receive the right to vote provincially

April 25th 1940 Woman in Quebec receive the right to vote in provincial elections

Time Line of Women Gaining the Vote In Canadian Provinces

Agnes Macphail

In Canada the involvement of woman in politics first began in 1921 when women won the right to vote. The first woman elected into the House of Commons was Agnes Macphail. Agnes Macphail was born in rural Ontario and started off as a school teacher. She believed that everyone should have equal rights. She wished to represent the farmers in her region which was her first big move into politics. She was elected in 1921, the first election which woman had the right to vote after winning the right to do so in 1918. At first Agnes was criticized for being too fragile and delicate (because she was a woman), to understand the harsh realities of prisons at the time. However, she persisted and she helped overhaul the penal system across Canada. Agnes formed the Elizabeth Fry Foundation to help woman’s rights. She noticed those women were working equally as hard as men were not receiving the same payment for it. In 1951 she put forth legislature that made sure women received equal pay for equal work in Ontario. She also helped with farmer’s co-operatives and old age pensions.

Agnes McPhail: First woman MP

Agnes Macphail

Agnes Macphail acted was a role model inspiring future female politicians She stood alone in the House of Commons as the only female politician for

several years She underwent harsh criticism by her colleagues and the press for being

the only woman, however she stood up for what she believed in

“I want for myself what I want for other women, absolute equality.”

-Agnes McPhail

Thérèse Casgrain

Thérèse Casgrain had an unlikely start into politics, when she gave a speech on behalf of her husband. Pierre Casgrain who was an MP in Quebec. After hearing her speech she was urged to join a women’s suffrage movement. She quickly became a leading feminist reformer in Quebec. She fought hard for Quebec women’s rights to vote during the 1920’s and 1930’s until Quebec finally allowed women the right to vote in 1940. In 1942 she was a Independent Liberal candidate for the Charlevoix-Saguenay region, but was not elected. In 1946 she joined the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF). She became the leader of the Quebec branch of the CCF, making her the first female leader of a political party in Canada. In 1967 she became and officer of the Order of Canada. In 1970 she appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Trudeau.

Thérèse Casgrain

Thérèse Casgrain

As the first women leader of political party in Canada she acted as inspiration for future political leaders.

Paved the way for women to receive the vote and run for office in Quebec

Casgrain as depicted on the fifty dollar bill

Kim Campbell

Looking back in Canadian history, there is one female name whom all Canadians should be familiar with. Kim Campbell was the first and only female prime minister in Canada to date. She became Prime Minister in 1993 after Brian Mulroney resigned. Although she was not elected, she had a long career as politicians which allowed her to gain her position. She began her career in politics in 1980 when she became the member of the school board in Vancouver. In 1986 she won a seat in the provincial legislature of British Columbia. In 1988 she was elected in the Canadian House of Commons in Ottawa. She came of the general and justice minister of Canada in 1990/ In 1993 she was the minister of national defence and veteran affairs. She was the first woman to hold these cabinet positions.

                                             Kim Campbell: First Woman MP

Kim Campbell

Kim Campbell acted as a huge inspiration to future generations of females by allowing them to see that a woman can be Prime Minister

Belinda Stronach

Belinda Stronach was a famous political figure. She was elected MP for New Market Aurora Ontario. She was highly criticized for being an heiress with a coddled career who had everything handed to her. She also received a lot of criticism and media coverage for her looks and personal life a lot of which were quite sexist. She was a progressive Conservative before witching to the Liberal party in 2008. She served 4 years as an MP from 2004-2008. She was in the running to become the leader of the Conservative party but lost out to Harper. In 2001 was the named the most powerful woman in business by the National Post.

Belinda Stronach

Belinda Stronach

Belinda Stronach is a role model because she was portrayed as a very powerful woman

Even in the 2000’s she had a lot of sexist comments made about her in the media

She was able to ignore the comments and continue her political career

A photo shopped picture of Belinda Stronach shows sexist attitude towards female politicians

Present Woman in politics started to take a turn for the positive in the early 20th

century. However, to date no Canadian political party has reached gender parity. Although Prime Ministers are not voted for directly, no party with a woman as it's leader has been voted into power.

Elizabeth May

Elizabeth May is a prominent character in Canadian politics as leader of the Green Party as well as an Officer for the Order of Canada. Although her party has received just under a million votesthey are yet to have a seat in the House of Commons. From a young age Elizabeth was an active community organizer and environmentalist. She graduated from Dalhousie law school in 1983.in 1984 she became active with the Public Intrest Advocy centre. In 1986 she became senoir advisor to the Federak Environmental Minister, who at the time was Tom McMillan. She was elected leader of the green party in August 2006. Her continued efforts to promote environmental issues in Canadian politics makes her a widely known politician.

Elizabeth May

Elizabeth May

Was the only female leader of a major political party for the last election in 2008

Frequently talked about in the news at the time of the election

An editorial in the Globe and Mail, January 31

Politicians receive a lot of criticism, but there gender is one thing they shouldn’t be scrutinized for

Anita Neville

Anita Neville was born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba. At the University of Winnipeg she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. She began her political career by first serving as a school board trustee of the Winnipeg School Board (from 1986-2000). She was first elected MP in 2000 for the Liberal party of Canada to represent the South Centre of Winnipeg. She was then re-elected in 2004, 2006 and 2008 .While Paul Martin was Prime Minister Neville acted as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. She is a member on the Standing Committee on the Status of Women.

Member of Parliament: Anita Neville

Anita Neville

Official Opposition to the Status of woman

Interview With Anita Neville

1. What does being a woman involved in politics mean to you?

It is important that there be more woman in the backroom, as you probably know only about 20% of politicians in Canada are female. It is a privilege and opportunity to get the chance to bring my experiences forward.

2. What inspired you to get involved in politics?

I am what you would call an accidental politicians, as many politicians are. I started of locally when my kids were in school and being cut off from bussing. I started to lobby with other parents to get their bussing back. After that I was talked into running school board and was elected as school board trustee. I didn’t really plan on getting any further involved, until the Liberals approached me in 1995 for the provincial election, which I was not successful in. I was reluctant in getting involved because I was not sure if this is how I wanted to live.

Interview with Anita Neville

3. Have any previous politicians inspired you in your involvement in politics?

I always sort of had an interest in politics, we did a lot of mock activities in high school involving both men and woman in different role which really inspired me. Jack Kennedy, Martin Luther King, John Defeinbaker, Duff Roblin Pierre Elliot Trudeau. There were not a lot of woman to be intrigued by, but defiantly Flora McDonnell and Charlotte Whitman.

4. If more woman were involved in politics what impact do you think that it would have?

It would change behaviour and some of the bully boy name calling. Women may prioritize issues differently.

5. What does your position as the Liberal Party critic for the status of women entail?

A lot of work. I am currently on a trip in Vancouver on stopping violence against aboriginal females. I am on various committees such as economic well being, women in non0tradtional trades. I am an advocate with the government so notice and attention is not just given to female politicians for the party’s advantage.

Interview with Anita Neville

6. Do you think woman need to work harder than men to be respected in a political position?

No question. More woman should be valued for what they can do. If you look at harpers portfolio the woman tend to have more junior portfolios. More woman should be valued for the diversity of their experiences.

7. Have you ever felt like you have been treated differently at any time in your political career because of your gender?

No question. No question. Defiantly by the nature of assignments and the comments made. I don’t want to be specific but just the other day someone said “It is amazing that a grandmother could accomplish this.”

Interview with Anita Neville

8. Other countries are setting up quotas and incentives to get woman involved in politics, do you think this is something Canada should consider?

I think incentives are a good way forward, I don’t necessarily agree with quotas. NDP’s are the most successful in this. Liberals have made a commitment that one third of their candidates are female. The Conservatives have not made any commitment. Financial incentives are something I think could be given, like more money back from tax rebates if they have more.

9. Do you have any advice for women who want to get involved in politics?

Get involved. Get involved at any party at any level. You can walk on the street, canvassing, writing brochures or through electronic activities. Getting involved with specific events for politics or meeting with politicians. I often, not always get young females coming into my office and asking how they can get involved. You can also follow women on face book or twitter.

Ruby Dhalla

Dhalla received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in political science. She was a member of the Young Liberals Party in Winnipeg. Ruby Dalha has represented Brampton Springdale for the Liberals in the House since 2004. Dhalla was the first South Asian women to be elected into the House of Commons. Dhalla was appointed to the standing committee on Health, where she drew on her experience as a chiropractor to give first person insight on issues in the medical field.

Controversy

On May 5th 2009 the Toronto Star ran headline news on a scandal involving Ruby Dhalla. Dhallaunderwent a large controversy when two of the caregivers hired to take care of her mother made claims that they were illegally employed. The two caregivers said that they had been underpayed and mistreated. They claimed to have had their passports and birth certificates removed from them when they were hired and were also forced to work long hours and do many extra jobs such as washing their cars and chiropractic offices. Due to these allegations Dhalla resigned as Youth and Multiculturalism critic on May sixth. She believed that the allegations were a direct threat on her reputation. However, she remains in parliament depite the accusations.

Ruby Dhalla

One of the youngest members of parliament, inspirational for aspiring politicians who see mainly senior female politicians

Being the first south Asian woman MP she is a role model for young females of all ethnic backgrounds

Ruby Dalha is involved in many worldwide issues

Leona Aglukkaq

Leona Aglukkaq was the Inuk to become a member of the House of Commons. Prior to becoming involved in federal politics she was a MLIA for the district of Nattilik. She served various positions across the territories before her move to become an MP. She acted as the deputy clerk of the legislative assembly, the deputy minister if culture and the deputy minister of human resources. She was elected on October 30th 2008 to represent Nunavut. She continues to fight for the Inuit issues she was raised with and believes in. She currently is the Minister of Health (**expand?)

Leona Aglukkaq

Helena Geurgis

Helena Guergis started in politics as the assistant-executive assistant to the Progressive Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Joe Tascond. She went on to become the political advisor to Janet Ecker, Minister of Education and Finance. In 2003 she ran fort he Conservatives in region Trinity-Spandina. However, she ran again in 2004 in the area of Simcoe-Grey and was relected twice in 2006 aswell as 2008. She was part of the conservative party until controversy struck in 2009 wheen she was forced to leave and became an independent.Helena Geurgis

Controversy

Stephen Harper ordered the RCMP as well as the Commons Ethics Commisioner, Mary Dawson, to investigate suspected criminal activity which Helena Geurgis was involved with. Her husband Rahim Jaffer had supposedly been running his business through her political office. Geurgis was forced to leave the Conservative Party with out just cause on April 9 2010. Her right to being innocent until guilty was broken, as well as the right to know what she was being charged for. However, upon investigation no evidence was found supporting that Helena had participated in any Criminal wrongdoings. Were these charges a sexist comment from our own Prime Minister?

Helena Guergis

Helena provides an example of how sexist attitudes are still present in politics today.

She is an inspiration by continuing to represent her region despite unfair allegations from the Prime Minister

Olivia Chow

Olivia Chow was born in Hong Kong and loved to Canada at the age of thirteen. She began her political career as a school board trustee in1985. She later became a city councillor in Toronto from 1991-2005. She the MP for the Trinity-Spandina region in Ontario after being elected in 2006. In 2008 she was re-elected for the same position. Olivia Chow is married to Jack Layton, the leader of the NDP

Olivia Chow

Olivia Chow

Olivia Chow is a role model for aspiring Canadian politicians who do not have a Canadian background

Lisa Raitt

Lisa Raitt was born in Nova Scotia where she later attended St. Francis Xavier University. She completed her bachelor of science and later went on to complete her Masters degree in chemistry at the University of Guelph. Lisa Raitt is currently an MP for Halton Ontario after being elected in 2008. She is one of eleven women on the cabinet, formerly holding the position of Minister of Natural Resources and currently is the Minister of Natural Resources.

Lisa Raitt

Linda Raitt

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/time-to-lead/women-in-power/women-and-politics-minister-lisa-raitt-and-nancy-peckford-take-your-questions/article1750007/

Future The future of woman in politics is a mystery. hopefully the

number of female representation increases. It could be suggested that laws be enacted ensuring that their is a certain amount of females in Canadian politics. However, this would be unfair for males and would not prove gender equity for both genders. Females need to be empowered and feel inspired to be leaders. Strong female characters in politicians allow for younger generations to look to these females and idolize. One powerful politician would make a large difference. if a woman were to be elected Prime Minister it would be very inspirational because of the publicity that would exposed to children.

Bibliography

"Globe and Mail editorial." Sustanabilty is Step One. Web. 16 Jan 2011. <http://darcyhiggins.blogspot.com/2007_01_01_archive.html>.

Therse Casgrain." therese Casgrain. Web. 17 Jan 2011. <http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.education.mcgill.ca/EDEE-382B-01/sabourin/casgrain2.jpg&imgrefurl