WATCH ABOVE: Toronto is a progressive, modern, urban centre – so why are there so few women running for office?
TORONTO– Regarded as one of Canada’s most progressive cities, Toronto falls short when it comes to women in politics.
Equal Voice, an organization dedicated to electing women in politics, released a report showing the differences between genders running in the upcoming Federal election.
Across Canada, 32 per cent of candidates running for election are female.
Toronto falls just below the national average, with 31 per cent being female candidates.
“What comes to my mind instantaneously is we have not come a long way,” said Joan Weinman, vice president of Equal Voice.
“There are far too few women seeking election… I would like at least to see parity among genders just so that we have representation that fairly and accurately reflects the complexion of our country and that is that 50 per cent need to women.”
Political Parties vs. Women
The New Democrat Party leads the way in pushing for more female voices in the House of Commons.
The EV report says 44 per cent of NDP candidates are women. The Liberals trail the NDP, with 32 per cent of candidates being female. Only 19 per cent of Conservative candidates are women.
‘Men only ridings’
There are currently nine ridings in Toronto with male-dominated races. However, nominations are still underway for both NDP and the Green Party.
In the York South Weston riding, the nominations have been completed in all parties. Currently, it is the only riding in Toronto with all male candidates.
According to the EV report, there are 84 ridings across Canada with no women running. Where nominations for all major parties have been completed, there are 26 ridings that have all male candidates.
In 2011, a record 76 women were voted into the House of Commons.
“What people need to understand is that it is not a gender issue on a ballot… it’s the fact that women bring a perspective to the political table that we need to hear from. We are 50 per cent of that population and right now there only 25 per cent elected members of parliment.”
Infographic by Janet Cordahi
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