Women’s Representation in Quebec Municipal Elections
Despite ongoing efforts to bridge the gender gap, women continue to be underrepresented in Quebec’s municipal elections, as revealed by recent data.
This year, only 36.1% of candidates vying for municipal positions are women, marking a slight uptick from last year’s 35.5%. However, this growth rate is the slowest seen since 2005, with 4,526 female candidates out of a total of 12,541.
Esther Lapointe, the director general of the Groupe Femmes, Politique et Démocratie (GFPD), highlights a concerning trend of stagnation and even decline in women’s participation in municipal races. She notes a mere 0.5% increase in women councillor candidates compared to the 4% rise in the previous election. The situation is similar for mayoral races, with a noticeable drop in the percentage of female candidates.
Lapointe attributes this decline to the mounting hostility in the political landscape, citing rising right-wing ideologies and incidents of violence against elected officials, especially women. She emphasizes that local elected representatives are particularly vulnerable due to their close interaction with the public.
Moreover, she points out the increasing burden on local governments, which are now tasked with addressing complex issues like climate change and homelessness without sufficient support. Lapointe warns that the combination of public pressure and online harassment is driving some women to reconsider or withdraw from political participation.
Despite the challenges, some candidates, like Gulnar Mousa and Elise Tanguay, are stepping up to make a difference in their communities. Mousa emphasizes the importance of women’s perspectives and leadership in politics, urging more women to overcome barriers and contribute to shaping the future.
With the upcoming municipal elections, Soraya Martinez Ferrada of Ensemble Montréal encourages women to take the plunge into politics, emphasizing the need for increased female representation for more efficient governance.
Keyphrase: Quebec municipal elections women representation
