This column is an opinion by Devin Percey, who works in the public sector in St. John’s. For more information about CBC’s Opinion section, please see the FAQ.
“When you ask a man to run in politics, their first question is something like ‘What took you so long?’ or ‘Do I have to wear a tie?’ When you ask a woman, her first question is, ‘Really? Do you think I would be good enough?’ even if her CV is way more impressive than any random male candidate.”
That quote is from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a recent media availability. He was talking about the all-too-common occurrence that happens when political parties try to recruit female candidates. Despite the social progress of the past century, societal and psychological barriers exist that make many potential female political prospects unable to see themselves as potential candidates.
Even more troubling, this occurrence is not exclusive to women. Members of other historically underrepresented groups — such as visible minorities, Indigenous people, members of the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities — can also struggle to see themselves as viable contenders for elected office.
One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is a relative lack of historic representation of people from these groups in politics. As someone with mild cerebral palsy, I understand why this is the case.
Without many tangible examples of someone like you, with similar views, experiencing some success in politics, it becomes difficult to envision yourself doing the same. Then when you do try to picture a political run, it is easy to negatively fixate on how it could go spectacularly wrong because there is a distinct absence of examples where it really goes right.
The best and the brightest people who care about improving their community do not all come from one particular group.
This creates a vicious cycle where marginalized groups continue to be under-represented in elected government. Since it is difficult for them to visualize themselves as politicians, only a select few offer themselves up as candidates when an election is called. As a result, only a few managed to get elected and the under-representation continues.
This is a problem for a variety of reasons. First, researchers have shown that groups made up of people from diverse backgrounds tend to focus more on facts and come up with more innovative ideas.
Diverse candidates provide diverse viewpoints
At the same time, politicians today are finding themselves representing increasingly diverse communities that are composed of many smaller communities with unique needs. Having diversity among elected officials is a definite way to ensure these unique needs are identified and brought to the forefront.
For example, a town councillor who uses a wheelchair is probably keenly aware and knowledgeable of accessibility issues such as the availability of blue space parking, whereas other town councillors might not be.
However, arguably the biggest problem with having certain parts of society being reluctant to step forward for public office is the simplest: the best person for the job might not get elected to office. No race, ethnicity, nationality, creed, sex, gender or sexual orientation has a monopoly on talent. The best and the brightest people who care about improving their community do not all come from one particular group.
Therefore, since certain groups of people feel politics is not for them, there’s less chance of electing the very best because the best person for the job might never even come forward. Instead of getting the best candidate with an impressive CV on the ballot, it’s possible to get stuck with a less qualified candidate who has the entitled “What took you so long?” mentality.
Barriers can be broken down
Clearly these barriers that demotivate female, racialized, Indigenous, LGBTQ and differently abled people from entering politics need to be addressed. Fortunately, for all of us, these barriers can be broken down with public awareness and a little civic engagement to help normalize the idea of diversity in government.
Take the time to pay attention to the diverse candidates in your local municipal, provincial and federal elections and their platforms. If you don’t see something you like from them, that’s perfectly OK. But if you do see something you like, be vocal and supportive. Talk to your neighbours about them, register to vote, contact their campaign to see if you can get a lawn sign and so on.
Meanwhile, if you know somebody from a diverse group who you think would make an excellent town councillor, member of the provincial legislature, or member of Parliament; let them know you think so. Tell them you think they would be amazing for the job and encourage them to step forward. You can offer to volunteer with their campaign.
Those little gestures might seem insignificant to most people but that is the funny thing about a little encouragement: to people who have been looked down on and discouraged by others, a little bit of encouragement can go a long way.
Quebec legislature member Youri Chassin has announced he’s leaving the Coalition Avenir Québec government to sit as an Independent.
He announced the decision shortly after writing an open letter criticizing Premier François Legault’s government for abandoning its principles of smaller government.
In the letter published in Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec, Chassin accused the party of falling back on what he called the old formula of throwing money at problems instead of looking to do things differently.
Chassin says public services are more fragile than ever, despite rising spending that pushed the province to a record $11-billion deficit projected in the last budget.
He is the second CAQ member to leave the party in a little more than one week, after economy and energy minister Pierre Fitzgibbon announced Sept. 4 he would leave because he lost motivation to do his job.
Chassin says he has no intention of joining another party and will instead sit as an Independent until the end of his term.
He has represented the Saint-Jérôme riding since the CAQ rose to power in 2018, but has not served in cabinet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
MONTREAL – NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he will not be taking advice from Pierre Poilievre after the Conservative leader challenged him to bring down government.
“I say directly to Pierre Poilievre: I’m not going to listen to you,” said Singh on Wednesday, accusing Poilievre of wanting to take away dental-care coverage from Canadians, among other things.
“I’m not going to listen to your advice. You want to destroy people’s lives, I want to build up a brighter future.”
Earlier in the day, Poilievre challenged Singh to commit to voting non-confidence in the government, saying his party will force a vote in the House of Commons “at the earliest possibly opportunity.”
“I’m asking Jagmeet Singh and the NDP to commit unequivocally before Monday’s byelections: will they vote non-confidence to bring down the costly coalition and trigger a carbon tax election, or will Jagmeet Singh sell out Canadians again?” Poilievre said.
“It’s put up or shut up time for the NDP.”
While Singh rejected the idea he would ever listen to Poilievre, he did not say how the NDP would vote on a non-confidence motion.
“I’ve said on any vote, we’re going to look at the vote and we’ll make our decision. I’m not going to say our decision ahead of time,” he said.
Singh’s top adviser said on Tuesday the NDP leader is not particularly eager to trigger an election, even as the Conservatives challenge him to do just that.
Anne McGrath, Singh’s principal secretary, says there will be more volatility in Parliament and the odds of an early election have risen.
“I don’t think he is anxious to launch one, or chomping at the bit to have one, but it can happen,” she said in an interview.
New Democrat MPs are in a second day of meetings in Montreal as they nail down a plan for how to navigate the minority Parliament this fall.
The caucus retreat comes one week after Singh announced the party has left the supply-and-confidence agreement with the governing Liberals.
It’s also taking place in the very city where New Democrats are hoping to pick up a seat on Monday, when voters go to the polls in Montreal’s LaSalle—Émard—Verdun. A second byelection is being held that day in the Winnipeg riding of Elmwood—Transcona, where the NDP is hoping to hold onto a seat the Conservatives are also vying for.
While New Democrats are seeking to distance themselves from the Liberals, they don’t appear ready to trigger a general election.
Singh signalled on Tuesday that he will have more to say Wednesday about the party’s strategy for the upcoming sitting.
He is hoping to convince Canadians that his party can defeat the federal Conservatives, who have been riding high in the polls over the last year.
Singh has attacked Poilievre as someone who would bring back Harper-style cuts to programs that Canadians rely on, including the national dental-care program that was part of the supply-and-confidence agreement.
The Canadian Press has asked Poilievre’s office whether the Conservative leader intends to keep the program in place, if he forms government after the next election.
With the return of Parliament just days away, the NDP is also keeping in mind how other parties will look to capitalize on the new makeup of the House of Commons.
The Bloc Québécois has already indicated that it’s written up a list of demands for the Liberals in exchange for support on votes.
The next federal election must take place by October 2025 at the latest.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is defending her decision to turn off comments on her social media accounts — with an announcement on social media.
She posted screenshots to X this morning of vulgar names she’s been called on the platform, and says comments on her posts for months have been dominated by insults, to the point that she decided to block them.
Montreal’s Opposition leader and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association have criticized Plante for limiting freedom of expression by restricting comments on her X and Instagram accounts.
They say elected officials who use social media should be willing to hear from constituents on those platforms.
However, Plante says some people may believe there is a fundamental right to call someone offensive names and to normalize violence online, but she disagrees.
Her statement on X is closed to comments.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
