All-male slate in St. John's byelection proves need for change, advocate says

While there have been gains in getting more women and gender-diverse people into Newfoundland and Labrador political offices, advocates say they are disappointed that a second St. John's byelection in a row features a roster of all-male candidates. 

On Tuesday, voters in Ward 3 will elect one of the five men running to fill the seat that Jamie Korab vacated when he leapt to provincial politics.

Mount Pearl councillor Isabelle Fry and Equal Voice Newfoundland and Labrador co-chair Kate Cadigan were disappointed to see the lack of diversity at the ballot box. 

"I do think it's a little disappointing that there are no women because I see it as a missed opportunity for diversity. Women's views are different than men's — not better, not worse — just different," said Fry.

Cadigan said it's an ongoing problem that isn't just isolated to this one byelection, pointing to this winter's Ward 4 byelection, which also had an all male slate of candidates.

"I think that's just a reflection of, you know, the work that we still need to continue to do to empower women and gender-diverse folks to put their names forward," Cadigan said in a discussion with CBC Radio's On The Go.

There are a lot of benefits to having diverse voices represented in politics and helping make decisions, said Fry.

"There are so many capable women and gender diverse individuals in our province. And those voices are important because when you're making a decision, you want to see all angles of it and all viewpoints," said Fry, who also sits on Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador's caucus for women and gender-diverse individuals. 

'It starts with a passion'

Cadigan said there are barriers that get in the way of having more gender-diverse politicians, explaining it can be a hurdle to get a candidate's name on the ballot. Moreover, she said sometimes a person can feel like they don't have the expertise to run.

"So many women feel that they're not capable of filling those roles, that they don't have enough knowledge," she said. 

In Fry's case, she said she always had an interest in politics but felt she didn't have the right professional background, such as being a lawyer, doctor or teacher.

"And I wanted to. And then that little voice inside would say, 'Hmm, maybe you shouldn't.'"

One day Lucy Stoyles, at the time a Mount Pearl councillor who was subsequently elected an MHA for Mount Pearl North, called Fry out of the blue and encouraged her to run for council.

"Here she is, a woman in politics, who is doing the role. And if she thinks that I can do it, hey, maybe I can. And I put my name forward and here I am seven years later, still loving every second of it," said Fry.

Sometimes people need a little push to make the leap into politics, said Fry, adding she's also picked up the phone to similarly encourage others to run. For people worried about managing family responsibilities, she raised her fellow council member Chelsea Lane as a positive example. Lane is a full-time teacher with three young children.

"It's not impossible. I think it starts with a passion," said Fry.

Support there

Cadigan said Equal Voice runs "campaign schools" that help people prepare for running a campaign and then provides them with support along the way.

"This is a really good foundation to have and then build upon as you kind of take that leap forward. And then Equal Voice is also there to support you as you continue that. You know, to help make connections, to find mentorship opportunities," said Cadigan.

While the work can be daunting, Cadigan said people are there to help.

Fry said people interested in running can also reach out to elected officials for advice, adding she speaks with other female politicians frequently and it's a source of support.

"It's just an amazing group of people. I can say without hesitation that any one of them would be more than happy to receive a phone call from somebody who may be interested or have some questions."

On The Go16:40Diversity in politics

In the next year, we'll see candidates from all political stripes step forward to run in federal, provincial and municipal elections. One group is hoping at least half of them will be women or gender diverse candidates. We talk about the work being done to increase gender parity in politics with two guests: A Mount Pearl councillor who's also on a sub-committee of Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador called the Caucus for Women and Gender Diverse Individuals, and with a member of an organization called Equal Voice that promotes women and gender diversity in all levels of politics. (Krissy Holmes with Isabelle Fry and Kate Cadigan)

One of the toughest lessons Fry said she had to learn in politics was to make the best decision with the information available and that she couldn't please everyone.

"Then there are other times when people are so genuinely grateful that you helped them navigate through this issue and the good far outweighs the bad," said Fry.

Cadigan said politicians see the positive changes they are making and while there are challenges — like negative comments officials receive — that outweigh the negative aspects of the job.

"I'm not an elected politician, but those women who do sit in elected positions, they truly inspire the younger generation too," said Cadigan.

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