Number of female MPS on rise in Canadian politics with 98 elected this year
Less than one third of MPS elected to Parliament were women, according to an analysis of results from last Monday’s election — a three per cent increase over 2015 and a record for Canada but far short of equal representation.
“Progress has been incredibly slow and incremental,” said Nasha Brownridge of Equal Voice, a organization campaigning for gender parity in Canadian politics.
Canadians sent 98 women to Ottawa this election — 10 more than in 2015 — accounting for 29 per cent of the House.
While the percentage of women elected from each party varied considerably, all parties appeared to be making an effort to include more women in the political process.
“Parties showed that they knew it was important to have women on the ballot,” Brownridge said.
“All parties that ran candidates in 2015 increased the number and percentage of women running in this election.”
There are a variety of factors that contribute to a lack of female representation in politics but Brownridge noted that incumbency and concerns over abuse are key factors.
The fact that the majority of MPS seeking re-election are men means that women end up running in party strongholds less frequently, making it harder for women to win, said Brownridge.
“Effectively there isn’t space for them.”
She said that nominating women to run in ridings where an incumbent is retiring is a “huge opportunity” for parties to address this particular issue.
Brownridge said the negativity associated with politics — whether it is heckling in the House or increased exposure to abuse online — is often cited by women as a barrier to entry.
She noted reports of Liberal MP Catherine Mckenna’s Ottawa office being vandalized with a vulgar slur as a prime example.
“Women do politics different,” Brownridge said.
“We need more women to make the changes needed so that more women will run.”
All parties that ran candidates in 2015 increased the number and percentage of women running in this election.