Chartier’s exit shows too little has changed

Count the number of women in Saskatchewan politics who have had long, successful or dynamic careers.

Now, compare that with the number of men you can think of who fit the same description.

Sunday is International Women’s Day, but consider how little has changed for women in politics.

Much of the focus surrounding Saskatoon Riversdale MLA Danielle Chartier’s surprise retirement announcement will swirl around its political implications — especially, with talk of a provincial election “very, very soon,” as Premier Scott Moe suggested in Wednesday’s question period. Friday’s announcement of a new $200-million hospital in Prince Albert will likely only fuel that early election speculation.

And in no small irony, Chartier’s decision may add jet fuel to the intrigue ... although that will mean we will again badly miss a bigger picture issue.

Chartier took over the Riversdale seat that had only been previously represented by former NDP premiers Roy Romanow and Lorne Calvert except for a four-and-a-halfyear period in the 1980s when Progressive Conservative Joann Zazelenchuk knocked off Romanow in Grant Devine’s 1982 landslide.

This is as solid a New Democratic seat as there is, but slightly changing demographics in west-end Saskatoon and the overall momentum of the Saskatchewan Party had some speculation Riversdale was ripe for the picking even before Chartier’s news. That she becomes the fourth veteran city NDP MLA to announce retirement (Warren Mccall, David Forbes, Cathy Sproule are the others) adds to the intrigue with a vote in the offing. In two of those constituencies, the NDP does not even have candidates nominated.

But that the focus of Chartier’s departure will immediately become the here-andnow political implication repeats what isn’t changing for women in politics. It’s like an endless farce where we (and by we, I mean we men) just don’t bother to listen to the very real problems women face in politics.

In her Facebook post,

Chartier pretty much spelled out the reality of being a single mom who is trying to balance family with one of the most hectic and stressful jobs imaginable.

“I lost my beloved father just a few months ago, after almost four difficult years of advocating for and assisting in his care, while watching him suffer through the many difficult phases of dementia,” Chartier wrote. “This has made me acutely aware of how precious time with family is. Given the demands of this role, and because of the juncture I’m at in my personal and family life, I have determined staying closer to home is the best course of action for my family.”

She thanked her sister, Michelle, who had been helping with child care, but noted changing family situations made it difficult for that arrangement to continue.

“In no way does this mean I am walking away from the many challenges facing our beautiful province. When I am ready, I will be looking for new avenues to fight for proper levels of mental health, addictions and seniors’ care in Saskatchewan ... That experience has fuelled my motivation to take better care of myself so I can keep fighting for them.”

Chartier’s tireless advocacy — especially on the mental health file — will be missed.

But if you have ever wondered why we don’t have more MLAS advocating for addictions and suicide and domestic violence prevention, consider the makeup of the 61-seat assembly with 16 women, 43 men and two seats formerly held by men. Women who are 50 per cent of the population have never come close to making up half the assembly, half of government caucus or half of cabinet.

Saskatchewan has never had a woman premier. Only twice have we had a woman deputy premier. Only twice have we had a woman finance minister. And only once have we had a permanent party leader (in Lynda Haverstock, who was forced out of her role before she could sit in the legislature as opposition leader). Women have generally been confined to the backbenches or opposition (where they now account for six of 13 members), so one might understand why after 10 years someone like Chartier might question whether it’s all worthwhile.

Less understandable is why so little has changed for women.