Why has rural Canada elected so few women, and when will it change?

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Emory Rodgers
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1 Why has rural Canada elected so few women, and when will it change? Louise Carbert, Dalhousie University Presented to Canadian Association of Farm Advisors Guelph, 11 February 2014

2 6 of 12 premiers were women in A temporary fluke, or sign of change?

3 Not quite as rosy in Canada s legislatures

4 A hint that moving to 60/40 is possible

5 Making that happen depends on rural ridings

6 Kellie Leitch Simcoe-Grey Patricia Davidson Sarnia-Lambton Carol Hughes Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing Diane Finley Haldimand-Norfolk Cheryl Gallant Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke

H of C rural deficit of women, 1997-2011

7 H of C rural deficit of women, Ridings divided into quarters by population density

8 HoC rural deficit of women, Ridings divided in half by population density

9 The rural deficit of women is in every region Results from six elections

10 The rural deficit of women is in every region Cumulative results over six elections

11 The rural deficit of women crosses party lines Cumulative results over six elections

12 Lisa Macleod Nepean-Carleton Lisa Thompson Huron-Bruce Maria Van Bommel Lambton Kent Middlesex ( ) Julia Munro York-Simcoe Sylvia Jones Dufferin-Caledon Laurie Scott Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Brock France Gélinas Nickel Belt Sarah Campbell Kenora-Rainy River

13 Horwath, Andrea Hamilton Centre DiNovo, Cheri Parkdale--High Park Fife, Catherine Kitchener-Waterloo Albanese, Laura York South--Weston MacCharles, Hon Tracy Jeffrey, Hon Linda Wynne, Hon Kathleen Pickering-Scarborough East Brampton-Springdale Don Valley West Jane McKenna Burlington Taylor, Monique Hamilton Mountain Armstrong, Teresa London-Fanshawe Mitzie Hunter, Scarborough Guildwood Piruzza, Hon Teresa Windsor West Soo Wong, Scarborough Agincourt Sandals, Hon Liz Guelph Matthews, Hon Deborah London North Centre Elliott, Christine Whitby-Oshawa Forster, Cindy Welland Sattler, Peggy London West Mangat, Amrit Damerla, Dipika Mississauga-Brampton Mississauga East-Cooksville Helena Jaczek, Oak Ridges - Markham Donna Cansfield, Etobicoke Centre Meilleur, Hon Madeleine Ottawa--Vanier

14 Why aren t rural women running for office and getting elected?

Ask rural women directly Field research 2000 - present: In-person interviews with 228 rural women leaders across Atlantic and western provinces.

15 Ask rural women directly Field research present: In-person interviews with 228 rural women leaders across Atlantic and western provinces. Interviews with Nova Scotia MLAs. Interviews with rural mayors. No shortage of supply: Women with potential to stand as candidates are not hard to find in rural areas. U of Toronto Press 2006

16 Elected office is remarkably democratic in Canada Dr. Kellie Leitch (CPC MP Simcoe Grey) is exceptional. The women elected are outstanding in their charm, dedication to the public good, intelligent grasp of complex public policy issues and tenacious drive to achieve. Yet these traits could not have been predicted from their occupational achievements and intensely local profiles prior to being elected. (Carbert & Black 2013) The same could be said for men in Canadian politics as well.

17 I don t want to risk my job or my family business by appearing to be in one party s pocket. I have the time and freedom, but I don t want to run for office in a system of which I disapprove. Many qualified potential candidates are deeply reluctant to put their names forward.

18 The big political families run everything, and fathers pass the job down to their sons. The overseers decide who does what in our community. When a politician enjoys greater prestige and exercises greater influence over the local economy, there is more fierce competition for the job.

19 Women s movement coincided with a long slide in commodity prices (1970s 1990s). Economic fragility has shaped rural politics in a way that has influenced local expectations for politicians.

20 What is about the job of a rural politician that results in fewer women elected? Do you want us to be eunuchs in our jobs? We have to do our jobs. Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien, 2002 When a politician s role is perceived as more of a patron: 1. Prospective women candidates are less eager to put their names forward, 2. Local elites are less open to change when recruiting candidates, 3. Male competitors find the job more desirable.

21 Are some rural districts more women-friendly? It s a relief to have this opportunity to move our infrastructure forward now that falling oil prices have slowed the economic boom here (2009). Melissa Blake, Mayor of Wood Buffalo [Fort McMurray]

22 A thriving local economy may help to overcome rural headwind for women Fewer expectations for politician to arrange direct support for local businesses and individuals. Newcomers disrupt local hierarchies & incumbents. Private-sector jobs avoid the public-sector prohibition on partisanship. Women s volunteer work meets with more success and appreciation. If the job is less prestigious, competition may be less vigorous.

23 Conclusion: a motivated party could make a real difference in thriving rural districts.

24 Real progress in candidacies. What impact in rural Canada?

25 Sponsored by Egg Farmers of Ontario

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