Tag: Teairra Marí

Across Atlantic Canada, women represent 21 per cent of elected officials overall at provincial and federal levels. When she was first elected to city council in 2009, there were two other women on council. And I’ll tell you, the difference between that period of time when I was the only voice on council as a woman, to where we are now – the conversation has completely shifted.” O’Leary said when women’s voices are represented in politics, “there is an incredible difference.” Currently, St. John’s city council has near gender parity at 45 per cent. Gill Hartmann said the benefits to society are noticeable when there’s gender parity in political decision-making. Since there’s been parity in cabinet, she said there have been many family-friendly policies implemented for the public. “When you support women everybody rises together.” -St. John’s, N.L., deputy mayor Sheilagh O’Leary Gill Hartmann and Equal Voice are working to reduce these barriers for women by working with government to encourage implementation of policies that break those barriers. They’re recognizing that we want diversity, we want more women at the table, so let’s do something about it,” said Gill Hartmann. “It’s not ideal – it’s not what I would love to see – but it’s a step forward.” Gill Hartmann said everyone can help increase gender parity in politics. “Campaigning at all levels and in all provinces is a lot of work and a lot of money. Gill Hartmann said too often people vote based on name recognition rather than on looking into a candidate’s platform.