It’s been wild and unpredictable out there on the hustings over the past four weeks – but now it all comes down to Monday. And as the days tick down, we convened our election panel and asked them to reflect on their individual campaigns.
Over the past few weeks we deliberately avoided asking our three candidates the “women” questions. Not this time.
After their experiences at all-candidates’ debates and at the doors, we wanted to know how they’ve been treated, why women would want a political life – and more importantly, whether they would recommend a political career to their (future) daughters?
All three wouldn’t discourage their daughters from this life, although one said she would have a heart-to-heart talk first and another would advise developing “thick skin.”
Ruby Dhalla says the best way to shatter the “glass ceiling” is to get more women into politics. So when it comes to making recommendations to a future daughter, the Liberal incumbent in Brampton-Springdale would say, go for it. Her one piece of advice: “have thick skin.”
“I have always believed that having the voice of women in politics ensures that the voices of the pillars of families are heard,” she says.
In her first campaign in 2004, Ms. Dhalla recalls the majority of her volunteers from various ethnic communities were men. “I remember calling a meeting and thanking them for their support and also informing of them of the new rule for the office: ‘Starting tomorrow you will have to bring your mother, sister, wife, girlfriend or any female friend into the office’.” It worked. Six years later, she says, most of her senior positions in her campaign are held by women.
As for any sexism at the door, she has experienced none. “It is clear the constituents do not have an appetite for the type of negative campaigns being run by the opponents which are based on personal attacks, smears intimidation and bullying,” she says.
Megan Leslie believes any woman can “make it” in politics these days – although she’s the one who would have the honest, heart-to-heart chat with her daughter (or son) about the “personal toll” of politics.
“This service can come at great personal costs and it can have a huge impact on your family,” the NDP incumbent for Halifax says. “You need to have a very, very supportive family to be successful in this world.” She mentions this whenever she’s speaking to young people about a career in politics.
But she notes things are changing, too, especially when it comes to women considering balancing this career with family. “And if you are at an age where you are looking to start a family, it can be even tougher,” she says. “In the past, I think this consideration has had a different effect on women than on men, but that difference is narrowing in this day and age.”
At the door, meanwhile, Ms. Leslie has noted that some older voters comment on her age. It’s not sexist or misogynistic, she notes. Rather, she believes it’s because some Canadians still have an “idea of what a ‘politician’ looks like’” – and it’s not a young woman.
“Wouldn’t it be great if the House of Commons looked more like the Canadian population, with more women, more Aboriginal Canadians, more Canadians with disabilities, more young people and more racial diversity? I think so.”
Kellie Leitch would absolutely recommend this career to her daughter (if or when she has one). “The campaign has been a great experience,” the Conservative candidate in the Ontario riding of Simcoe-Grey says. She notes her volunteers and the people she has met at the doors have “humbled” and motivated her.
Acknowledging the life of a politician has its “ups and downs,” it is one the medical docotr says will “allow me to impact the lives of countless Canadians families” And she believes that taking the high road and running a positive, respectful campaign will benefit everyone.
Any sexism at the door? None. Rather, she says she has had only “well-informed discussions” about the economy, health care and agricultural issues. “Gender has not once entered into the discussion.”
