It took until November 2015 for a Canadian prime minister to form the first-gender balanced cabinet in Canadian history. This is significant because, on a substantive level, multiple international research studies comprehensively demonstrate that women’s participation in politics results in tangible gains for democracy. Yet, politics remains a hostile environment for women in Canada. 

Women are not a minority; they are half of Canada’s population. For our political institutions to be democratically legitimate and responsive to all citizens, they must be inclusive of the whole population. Our Canadian political structures require a greater representation of women, non-binary people, and visible minorities at the municipal, provisional and federal levels to be legitimately representative. 

There is strong evidence stating that women elected to office are more likely to focus on child welfare, reproductive rights, minority rights, education, health and senior care than their male counterparts. All these issues form the bedrock of an equitable and successfully run democratic society.  

Furthermore, women tend to employ a democratic and collaborative leadership approach than men’s more autocratic style. Therefore, they are more successful at building coalitions and reaching consensus, making them more effective at getting things done.