Submitted by YWCA Muskoka
Curious about running in the next municipal election? On Tuesday June 16, Muskoka residents will have an opportunity to listen to a live online panel aimed at engaging more women in municipal politics.
The Have a Seat panel (via Zoom video chat) will include four leaders who will be sharing their experience, challenges and insights on running an electoral campaign, their experience on council, the issues affecting Muskoka residents and why it is important to have women around decision-making tables. Currently in Muskoka, there are 52 municipal councillors. Of these, only 16 (30 per cent) are women.
Speakers for this event are: Kemi Akapo, councillor for the City of Peterborough; Susan Mazan, councillor for Muskoka Lakes Township; Nancy Alcock, District councillor and deputy mayor for the Town of Huntsville; and Audrey Van Petegem, a candidate in the most recent election in Gravenhurst and Muskoka entrepreneur. The event will be moderated by YWCA community relations coordinator, Laura Sundy.
Have a Seat is a joint project of the District of Muskoka with YWCA Muskoka funded by the Government of Canada WAGE through the Federation of Community Municipalities.
To register for this event, visit ywcamuskoka.com/events/
YWCA Muskoka champions positive change for women and girls through education, leadership and advocacy. We envision a future in which all women and girls are thriving. For more information about YWCA Muskoka and the Have a Seat project, please visit the website at ywcamuskoka.com.
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Kudos for this excellent, necessary, and timely event. Your speakers and moderator are also well chosen.
The problem, however, is not only engaging women in politics. Recently, we’ve had a chance to support Helena Renwick, Kathleen May, and several others. How do we encourage them to run again? Federally, we’ve had 2 aboriginal ladies forced out of caucus; and Trish Cowie, an aboriginal lawyer, who runs both federally and provincially; has been unsuccessful to date.
One can only hope that this thorny problem is touched on.