BALANCING THE BALLOT
Our Key Insights
Through conversations with dozens of women candidates, three core insights emerged. ​
Getting Women Into the Ring
Candidates want to see more transparency and clearer accountability around how nominations take place. As women candidates, we want our voters to trust that we're the right choice for this job and the tools to get more women on the slate need to be used in ways that build trust and not erode it.
On the Campaign Trail
Women candidates bring their A-game. Despite a range of challenges: sexist, racist and/or ageist attitudes from within the Liberal party and from voters, women still stood tall and wanted to best represent and fight hard to win their ridings. As women candidates, we expected these challenges, but more can and should be done by the party to stand behind our candidacies.
Making a Difference
The new-to-politics candidates have a range of expertise to be brought into the political system and want to contribute their time and talent to changing not just the face of politics but its culture as well. A more collaborative approach can foster deeper relationships locally and throughout the party.
Ontario Liberal Women! Were you one of our majority women candidates in 2022 for the Ontario Liberal Party?
The Ontario Liberal Party ran a record number of women candidates in the last election.
We want to hear from you. As the party prepares for the next provincial election, we want your experiences to inform candidate recruitment, support and nominations.
Share your story, inspire others, and make sure that the party is ready to continue to support talented women who put their names on the ballot.
PRESS RELEASE:
Ontario Liberal women reveal their experiences in the last provincial election and their recommendations
October 18, 2022 - Toronto, Ontario
In the nearly 100 years since women were first legally eligible to run for office on Persons Day, October 18th, 1929, this election marks an achievement and a milestone: the first time that the Ontario Liberal Party fielded more than 50% women. To continue to see gains in women's representation in provincial politics, the Balancing the Ballot report makes recommendations such as:
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Ensuring nomination processes are more transparent and fair for all candidates
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Investing in our supports for women candidates with reduced registration fees and women-only ridings
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Committing to attracting new voices to take part in the political process as candidates and campaign managers
These kinds of systemic measures and changes would support more candidates through gruelling campaigns. At a time of much political toxicity and volatility, ensuring that candidates, across party-lines, are well-supported is critical to attracting strong and effective political leaders to govern today.
"As a long-time advocate for women in politics and a first time candidate, I was proud of our party’s accomplishment in this election on this front," said Chi Nguyen, lead author of the report and recent Ontario Liberal candidate in Spadina-Fort York.
“I’m proud of how our party has actively supported and recruited strong women to have run for us this June. They brought experience and talent that our party needed. We will bring this energy with us as we move forward.” Mitzie Hunter, Deputy Leader, MPP, Scarborough-Guildwood,
"I loved how our team faced challenges and truly supported each other," said Mary Margaret McMahon, MPP, Beaches East York. "This is what we need to make politics better for all of us!"
"I welcome the report and it’s one that anyone interested in healthier politics needs to read, said Karim Bardeesy, 2022 candidate in Parkdale-High Park and a co-lead of the OLP’s candidate debrief process. “If we, as Ontario Liberals, listen and act, it will help us change our culture to be more welcoming, more inclusive, and more ready to govern.”
“We all recognize that there is work ahead of us to rebuild the Ontario Liberal Party and welcome these important recommendations to move forward." John Fraser, Interim Leader, MPP Ottawa South, Ontario Liberal Party.
The efforts to continue to move our political system towards more meaningful equality continues. Ontario Liberal women candidates and their supporters are ready and committed to that work. For details, visit www.balancingtheballot.ca to view the video and to download the report.
