While politics may have once been an old boys club, that’s no longer the case in certain parts of the GTA. Here there are at least two areas where most major parties are represented by women; those areas are Halton and Etobicoke North. And what does that mean for politics in these areas? Well, it’s seemed to actually place the focus back on – politics! And it’s the Halton riding that’s getting most of the attention, as here every single name on that ballot will be that of a woman.
In a debate that took place on February 8, the Green Party representative in Halton, Judi Remigio, didn’t understand part of the question that was asked of her. Instead of jumping on the chance to point out her political inexperience and inability to answer simple questions, the Liberal representative, Connie Bowie-Laurie, leaned over so she could whisper an explanation to her. Afterwards, Remigio herself commented that this is only one example of how women working together, instead of men, can sometimes lead to more cooperation and less mudslinging, especially when the touchy subject of politics is at hand.
The co-organizer of the debate, Marlene Bristol, also touched on how different a debate panel made up of entirely women seems to be completely different than one made up entirely of men. She called the women’s debate “civilized,” and even “pleasant”! She compared it to the Oakville riding debate she had attended just a few evenings earlier, and one in which only men were debating. She said that debate was more about personal attacks that it was any real political issues, and that while it was a good show, no one really came away with any real information.
But it’s not all about talking about touchy-feely stuff and getting together for a big group hug at the end of debates and meetings, either. In Halton you’ll still find all the arguing and sometimes under-handed moves of stealing signs. These women still strongly believe in their parties, and they want to fight to be heard and to prove that their way is the best way. But for the most part, it’s a much more civilized game.
Liberal representative Connie Bowie-Laurin feels that it’s only natural that women are involved in politics as they are often an integral part of the community, and deeply invested in community issues. It only makes sense that they would want to be heard regarding those issues. Bowie-Laurin also hopes that more women will look towards politics in the future, and that we’ll see more and more ridings made up of entirely women representatives.
Politics = Girl Power in GTA
While politics may have once been an old boys club, that’s no longer the case in certain parts of the GTA. Here there are at least two areas where most major parties are represented by women; those areas are Halton and Etobicoke North. And what does that mean for politics in these areas? Well, it’s seemed to actually place the focus back on – politics! And it’s the Halton riding that’s getting most of the attention, as here every single name on that ballot will be that of a woman.
In a debate that took place on February 8, the Green Party representative in Halton, Judi Remigio, didn’t understand part of the question that was asked of her. Instead of jumping on the chance to point out her political inexperience and inability to answer simple questions, the Liberal representative, Connie Bowie-Laurie, leaned over so she could whisper an explanation to her. Afterwards, Remigio herself commented that this is only one example of how women working together, instead of men, can sometimes lead to more cooperation and less mudslinging, especially when the touchy subject of politics is at hand.
The co-organizer of the debate, Marlene Bristol, also touched on how different a debate panel made up of entirely women seems to be completely different than one made up entirely of men. She called the women’s debate “civilized,” and even “pleasant”! She compared it to the Oakville riding debate she had attended just a few evenings earlier, and one in which only men were debating. She said that debate was more about personal attacks that it was any real political issues, and that while it was a good show, no one really came away with any real information.
But it’s not all about talking about touchy-feely stuff and getting together for a big group hug at the end of debates and meetings, either. In Halton you’ll still find all the arguing and sometimes under-handed moves of stealing signs. These women still strongly believe in their parties, and they want to fight to be heard and to prove that their way is the best way. But for the most part, it’s a much more civilized game.
Liberal representative Connie Bowie-Laurin feels that it’s only natural that women are involved in politics as they are often an integral part of the community, and deeply invested in community issues. It only makes sense that they would want to be heard regarding those issues. Bowie-Laurin also hopes that more women will look towards politics in the future, and that we’ll see more and more ridings made up of entirely women representatives.