YWCA Muskoka is looking to get local women more engaged in municipal politics.
The organization is hosting a live online panel next week that will give residents an opportunity to hear from women in politics from across the region.
The Have a Seat panel will include four municipal leaders who will shed light on their experiences, challenges and insights on running an electoral campaign.
In an interview with MyMuskokaNow, Executive Director for YWCA Muskoka Hannah Lin says they are looking to highlight why it’s important to have women around the decision-making table.
“We’re pretty excited to have all four of these women share their experience of what it is like to run, what kind of barriers they faced and how they handled them, and what it’s like to be involved in municipal politics.”
Speakers for the panel will include Deputy Mayor of Huntsville Nancy Alcock, Muskoka Lakes Township Councillor Susan Mazan, councillor for the City of Peterborough Kemi Akapo and Audrey Van Petegem, a candidate in the most recent election in Gravenhurst and Muskoka entrepreneur.
Lin notes this is part of a national effort to get more women engaged at the local level.
“Whether it’s people of colour or different genders, not at a table or not sharing their voices, then there is a different dynamic in the power and decisions that get made. It’s overall, but we are one of several community groups doing a project like this through the Spring and Summer.”
Currently, in Muskoka, there are 52 municipal councillors – with only 16 women among them.
Lin adds that she feels if you really want change you have to hear from a more diverse range of people.
“Women certainly, I believe, face many barriers to getting involved in public life. Sometimes, it’s the distribution of responsibilities, or they’re balancing childcare – which shouldn’t be a women’s issue, it should be a peoples’ issue – but it does often fall to women.”
The event will be held in a ZOOM setting and takes place next Tuesday, starting at 11 a.m.
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
