Equal Voice
Encyclopedia
Founded in 2001 by Rosemary Speirs and Donna Dasko Equal Voice: Electing More Women in Canadawww.equalvoice.ca is a multi-partisan, non-governmental
, non-profit organization
that promotes the election of more women in Canadian politics
. Through public awareness campaigns, a campaign school and election tracking, Equal Voice seeks to offers a variety of mean to encourage more women in running for public office federally, provincially and municipally.
, the Conservative Party of Canada
, the New Democratic Party
, the Bloc Québécois
and the Green Party of Canada
, to be proactive in their recruitment and support of women candidates.
Chapters must be devoted solely to the cause of electing more women. There are currently chapters in Ottawa, Toronto, Alberta South, Alberta North, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition to regional chapters, there are student chapters at: The University of McGill, The University of Ottawa, Carleton University
and York University
, with chapters quickly emerging across the country.
Launched on International Women's Day
(2010), "Be Her or Support Her"is an action campaign created to galvanize women into being the candidate or support another woman to do so. Members can take part in this specific campaign by taking individual action, through community initiatives, or by political party action. This includes running for election, donating money to help fundraise for women politicians, holding a Particip8 event, joining a riding association, and celebrate existing women candidates and men who support the cause of electing more women to political office.
Equal Voice Experiences is a national mentorship program funded by Status of Women Canada which aims to engage girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 25 to learn about the impact of politics on their lives and how they might become involved in the process.
The Canada Challenge is intended to build momentum amongst political parties to elect more women in Canada. In May 2009, EV launched its second Canada Challenge, where in anticipation of the upcoming federal election, Equal Voice secured the commitment of the five federal party leaders to promote the recruitment and nomination of more women to federal Parliament.
The Ontario Challenge was created to help elect more women to Queen’s Park. In 2006, Equal Voice asked the leaders of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Liberals and New Democratic Party to commit to nominating more female candidates. All three party leaders agreed to take up the Challenge, and as a result, the number of women elected to Queen’s Park in one election cycle increased by 7 per cent overall.
Getting to the Gate Online Campaign School is an online campaign school that provides practical tools for women of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life interested in running for public office in order to boost women’s participation in all levels of government. The course is led by Equal Voice and funded by Status and Women Canada, and was made possible by the contributions of many individuals and organizations.
EVE Awards: Honouring Outstanding Women is awarded by Equal Voice to recognize significant achievements by women in political life and efforts to promote women in politics in Canada. Previous Eve Award recipients include the Right Honourable Kim Campbell
, the Honourable Anne McLellan
, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
, Member of Parliament Carolyn Bennett
, former Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister Flora MacDonald
, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
, former Ontario cabinet minister Frances Lankin and the Hon. Belinda Stronach
.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
, non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
that promotes the election of more women in Canadian politics
Politics of Canada
The politics of Canada function within a framework of parliamentary democracy and a federal system of parliamentary government with strong democratic traditions. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, in which the Monarch is head of state...
. Through public awareness campaigns, a campaign school and election tracking, Equal Voice seeks to offers a variety of mean to encourage more women in running for public office federally, provincially and municipally.
Electing women in Canada: challenges and strategies
In order to ensure that more women are elected in Canada, it is critical that Canada’s political parties adopt action plans to break down barriers for women in politics. Equal Voice encourages the Liberal Party of CanadaLiberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
, the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
, the New Democratic Party
New Democratic Party
The New Democratic Party , commonly referred to as the NDP, is a federal social-democratic political party in Canada. The interim leader of the NDP is Nycole Turmel who was appointed to the position due to the illness of Jack Layton, who died on August 22, 2011. The provincial wings of the NDP in...
, the Bloc Québécois
Bloc Québécois
The Bloc Québécois is a federal political party in Canada devoted to the protection of Quebec's interests in the House of Commons of Canada, and the promotion of Quebec sovereignty. The Bloc was originally a party made of Quebec nationalists who defected from the federal Progressive Conservative...
and the Green Party of Canada
Green Party of Canada
The Green Party of Canada is a Canadian federal political party founded in 1983 with 10,000–12,000 registered members as of October 2008. The Greens advance a broad multi-issue political platform that reflects its core values of ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy and...
, to be proactive in their recruitment and support of women candidates.
Regional and youth chapters
Equal Voice Chapters and University Campus Clubs aim to increase public awareness about the underrepresentation of women in politics by hosting events and providing networking and mentoring opportunities across Canada. In order to found a chapter, leaders must prove they support a multi-partisan approach to promoting the cause of electing more women in politics.Chapters must be devoted solely to the cause of electing more women. There are currently chapters in Ottawa, Toronto, Alberta South, Alberta North, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In addition to regional chapters, there are student chapters at: The University of McGill, The University of Ottawa, Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
and York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
, with chapters quickly emerging across the country.
Launched on International Women's Day
International Women's Day
International Women's Day , originally called International Working Women’s Day, is marked on March 8 every year. In different regions the focus of the celebrations ranges from general celebration of respect, appreciation and love towards women to a celebration for women's economic, political and...
(2010), "Be Her or Support Her"is an action campaign created to galvanize women into being the candidate or support another woman to do so. Members can take part in this specific campaign by taking individual action, through community initiatives, or by political party action. This includes running for election, donating money to help fundraise for women politicians, holding a Particip8 event, joining a riding association, and celebrate existing women candidates and men who support the cause of electing more women to political office.
Equal Voice Experiences is a national mentorship program funded by Status of Women Canada which aims to engage girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 25 to learn about the impact of politics on their lives and how they might become involved in the process.
The Canada Challenge is intended to build momentum amongst political parties to elect more women in Canada. In May 2009, EV launched its second Canada Challenge, where in anticipation of the upcoming federal election, Equal Voice secured the commitment of the five federal party leaders to promote the recruitment and nomination of more women to federal Parliament.
The Ontario Challenge was created to help elect more women to Queen’s Park. In 2006, Equal Voice asked the leaders of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Liberals and New Democratic Party to commit to nominating more female candidates. All three party leaders agreed to take up the Challenge, and as a result, the number of women elected to Queen’s Park in one election cycle increased by 7 per cent overall.
Getting to the Gate Online Campaign School is an online campaign school that provides practical tools for women of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life interested in running for public office in order to boost women’s participation in all levels of government. The course is led by Equal Voice and funded by Status and Women Canada, and was made possible by the contributions of many individuals and organizations.
EVE Awards: Honouring Outstanding Women is awarded by Equal Voice to recognize significant achievements by women in political life and efforts to promote women in politics in Canada. Previous Eve Award recipients include the Right Honourable Kim Campbell
Kim Campbell
Avril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
, the Honourable Anne McLellan
Anne McLellan
|-...
, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Leona Aglukkaq
Leona Aglukkaq, PC, MP is a Canadian politician, who was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Conservative in the 2008 Canadian federal election for the riding of Nunavut....
, Member of Parliament Carolyn Bennett
Carolyn Bennett
Carolyn Ann Bennett, PC, MP is the Member of Parliament for the riding of St. Paul's, a constituency located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, and was formerly a candidate for its leadership....
, former Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister Flora MacDonald
Flora MacDonald
Flora Isabel MacDonald, is a Canadian politician.Born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, she worked in administration for the Progressive Conservative Party for several years, prior to becoming involved in electoral politics....
, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion
Hazel McCallion
Hazel McCallion, née Joueneaux, CM is the mayor of Mississauga, Ontario. McCallion has been Mississauga's mayor for years, holding office since 1978...
, former Ontario cabinet minister Frances Lankin and the Hon. Belinda Stronach
Belinda Stronach
Belinda Caroline Stronach, PC is a Canadian businessperson, philanthropist and former politician. She was a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons from 2004 to 2008. Originally elected as a Conservative, she later crossed the floor to join the Liberals...
.
Advisory Board members
- Kim CampbellKim CampbellAvril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
, former Progressive ConservativeProgressive Conservative Party of CanadaThe Progressive Conservative Party of Canada was a Canadian political party with a centre-right stance on economic issues and, after the 1970s, a centrist stance on social issues....
Prime MinisterPrime Minister of CanadaThe Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution... - Pat CarneyPat CarneyPatricia "Pat" Carney, is a former Canadian Senator and Cabinet minister.Carney first ran for the Canadian House of Commons as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the 1979 election and was defeated...
, ConservativeConservative Party of CanadaThe Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
Senator - Sheila CoppsSheila CoppsSheila Maureen Copps, PC is a former Canadian politician who also served as Deputy Prime Minister of Canada from November 4, 1993 to April 30, 1996 and June 19, 1996 to June 11, 1997....
, former LiberalLiberal Party of CanadaThe Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
Deputy Prime MinisterDeputy Prime Minister of CanadaThe Deputy Prime Minister of Canada is an honorary position in the cabinet, conferred at the discretion of the prime minister. There is currently, , no deputy prime minister.... - Janet EckerJanet EckerJanet Ecker is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 2003, and was a senior cabinet minister in the governments of Mike Harris and Ernie Eves.-Background:...
, former Progressive Conservative Party of OntarioProgressive Conservative Party of OntarioThe Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
MPP - Judith Erola, former Liberal MP
- Barbara HallBarbara HallBarbara Hall is a Canadian lawyer, public servant and former politician. She was the 61st mayor of Toronto, the last to run before amalgamation. She was elected mayor of the pre-amalgamation City of Toronto in 1994, and held office until December 31, 1997...
, former Mayor of Toronto - Alexa McDonoughAlexa McDonoughAlexa Ann Shaw McDonough OC is a Canadian politician who became the first woman to lead a major, recognized political party in Canada, when she was elected the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party's leader in 1980...
, MP, former leader of NDP and Nova Scotia New Democratic PartyNova Scotia New Democratic PartyThe Nova Scotia New Democratic Party is a social-democratic provincial party in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is aligned with the federal New Democratic Party . Originally founded as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation in 1932, it became the New Democratic Party in 1961. It became the governing... - Audrey McLaughlinAudrey McLaughlinAudrey McLaughlin, PC, OC was leader of Canada's New Democratic Party from 1989 to 1995. She was the first female leader of a political party with representation in the Canadian House of Commons, as well as the first federal political party leader to represent an electoral district in a Canadian...
, former NDP leader - Lyn McLeodLyn McLeodLyn McLeod is a politician in Ontario, Canada. She served in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1987 to 2003. McLeod was a cabinet minister in the Liberal government of David Peterson from 1987 to 1990, and served as leader of the Ontario Liberal Party from 1992 to 1996.-Background - Pre...
, former leader of the Ontario Liberal PartyOntario Liberal PartyThe Ontario Liberal Party is a provincial political party in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has formed the Government of Ontario since the provincial election of 2003. The party is ideologically aligned with the Liberal Party of Canada but the two parties are organizationally independent and... - Anita NevilleAnita NevilleAnita Neville, MP was a Canadian politician. She was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal in the general election of 2000, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006, before being defeated in 2011.-Early life and career:...
, Liberal MP - Flora MacDonald, former Progressive Conservative MP
- Lucie PépinLucie PépinLucie Pépin is a former Canadian politician, who served in both the House of Commons and Senate.-Career:A Registered Nurse by profession, in the 1960s, Pépin served as head nurse in the gynecology department and then at the family planning clinic of Notre-Dame Hospital in Montreal, and was...
, Liberal Senator - Nancy RuthNancy RuthNancy Ruth, CM is a Canadian Senator from Ontario. She was appointed to the Senate by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, on the advice of Prime Minister Paul Martin, on March 24, 2005. While initially appointed as a Progressive Conservative, on March 28, 2006 she joined the Conservative caucus...
, Conservative Senator