Women of colour are changing the face of Canadian politics

Last year, an analysis of 194 countries published by the Centre for Economic Policy Research and the World Economic Forum highlighted the massive differences between male and female leaders during the COVID-19 crisis. The report was very clear: female-led countries had “significantly” better COVID-19 outcomes than countries led by men. The report seemed to show that leaders like New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern, and Germany’s Angela Merkel had locked down earlier and suffered fewer deaths in their countries than their male counterparts. The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in many new systems and realities across several industries, and politics has been no different. The last two years have given rise to many new female faces across all major parties in Canada. As of the start of the campaign, the Green Party of Canada had more than 71 nominated women candidates ready for the upcoming election. At the time of writing this article, the federal Liberals had more than 120 women running in the next election and have said that well over 50 per cent of their new candidates are women. The Conservative Party has more than 90 female candidates seeking seats in the next election, while the federal NDP has more than 100. This all to say that more women will be pushing through the doors of Parliament Hill in the immediate future. Diversity across all spectrums is important and Canada will benefit from it. The subject of intersectionality is both complex and noteworthy. The concept refers to the theory that an individual may face multiple types of overlapping discrimination depending on their race, gender, or other minority groups they are part of. For women of colour, this theory takes true form. Despite these realities, Canada has seen the recent emergence of politicians like Leslyn Lewis, Annamie Paul, Marci Ien, and more. Paul walked the road less travelled to become the first Black Canadian and Jewish woman to ever lead a federal party in Canada. Unfortunately, Paul’s leadership has been mired in controversy since May 2021 when a senior adviser of hers pledged to defeat unnamed sitting MPs in the then-three-person caucus via social media, ahead of Jenica Atwin crossing the floor to join the Liberals. The drama led to the Green Party’s federal council passing a motion requiring Paul to denounce her adviser or face a vote of non-confidence. The vote was put on hold and Paul has since been gearing up for legal battles with the party. Dimitri Lascaris, who ran for leader of the party in 2020, criticized the party for having the lowest proportion of racialized candidates in previous election cycles and for issues with institutional racism within the party. Regardless, Paul’s face on the national stage has helped change the possibilities for women of colour in Canadian politics forever. For many years the Liberal Party of Canada has seemed to have the corner unit on diversity. They’ve enjoyed the most support from ethnic and women voters over the last several elections, but a modern Conservative Party led by Erin O’Toole and fuelled by candidates like Lewis have changed that trend. Lewis burst on to the political scene in 2020 when she decided to vie for the party’s leadership. Since then, her remarkable efforts have led her to Haldimand Norfolk, Ont., where she’s become the party’s standard bearer in the next election. The representation Lewis brings to the party is paramount at a time when Canadians have been working hard to achieve more equitable outcomes for minority groups across the country. The achievements made by Lewis have inspired first-time candidates like Carmen Wilson, who is seeking a seat for the Conservatives in Scarborough-Guildwood, Ont. Wilson has cited Lewis as a source of inspiration for herself and other young Black women in politics. O’Toole has not only proven to be an ally in that goal, but has made sure the party has spoken truth to power on a number of issues facing BIPOC Canadians. Under O’Toole’s leadership many new candidates are persons of colour and he has stated that he seeks to grow the tent of the party and help more Canadians see a Conservative when they look in the mirror. In a passionate 2020 speech O’Toole said: “It’s time we Conservatives took inequality seriously.” Since then, the party has created an engagement team that seeks to communicate regarding issues of immigration, human rights, religious freedom, and national security. In light of this, the party’s ranks have expanded exponentially with more men and women of colour entering the fold. Canada’s political landscape is changing, but it has taken time. It was in 1972, when Rosemary Brown became the first Black woman elected to the provincial legislature. She later became the first Black woman to run for leader of a federal party too. Now in 2021, there are several women of colour forging new paths in unfamiliar political territory. Their voices are needed and Canada will be better for it. Vonny Sweetland is a political news contributor and community activist based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter @Vonnysweetland. The Hill Times

Women of colour are changing the face of Canadian politics

There are several women of colour forging new paths in unfamiliar political territory. Their voices are needed and Canada will be better for it.

Co-ordinated hate campaign thrives under complicity of silent majority

Ideas, policy, and party leaders

Politics This Morning: New Conservative critics; Ien and O’Regan meet with Atlantic caucus; and much more

Co-ordinated hate campaign thrives under complicity of silent majority

Canada needs a modern, national health data architecture

To address online harms, Canada must commit to digital media literacy

A cure for multiple sclerosis could be just around the corner

Renewable energy is the way to go, says letter writer

Supporting local broadcasters is critical for our democracy

Politics This Morning: Green’s Annamie Paul steps down after disappointing campaign, months of party infighting

Minor House shakeup sees more than 40 new faces preparing to enter Parliament

Trudeau Liberals return to preside over minority Parliament after mid-pandemic election

Election speculation, party conventions likely boosted fundraising haul, say strategists

Liberal MPs Fergus, Ien reflect on death of George Floyd nearly a year since his killing

News

Get free news updates

Opinion

Submit a guest opinion article

resources

Advertise

subscribe

get help

Women of colour are changing the face of Canadian politics

There are several women of colour forging new paths in unfamiliar political territory. Their voices are needed and Canada will be better for it.

Get The Weekend Point of View Newsletter