PARTNERSHIP-FOR-IMPACT ANNOUNCEMENT
The New Westminster & District Labour Council and PowHERhouse Impact Media Group partner for impact.
The New Westminster & District Labour Council (NWDLC) was formed in 1966 to give a greater voice at the local level for the unions and their members in the Lower Mainland. Over the years, the NWDLC has realized notable success in increasing diversity of leadership in the 14 communities in their region.
Current elected officials in these communities endorsed by the NWDLC:
They have also notably diversified leadership on their own Executive Board through an equity mandate in the bylaws. Although they have experienced much success supporting candidates who share their values, they also recognize a need to further leverage their impact with even greater gender equity and racial diversity in political leadership.
Preparing for a Better Future with Greater Diversity in Political Leadership is a new initiative championed by the NWDLC in partnership with PowHERhouse Impact Media Group. It is described as an innovative, inviting, and inclusive comprehensive engagement and preparatory program for women and non-binary people who may be interested to run in a political campaign in the next one to five years.

Janet Andrews, NWDLC, Secretary-Treasurer
“The focus of this program is to build a network of diverse and exceptional leaders for municipal political office and school trustee positions. We also acknowledge the value of a runway approach to running for office made possible through union positions, board positions, committee appointments, advisory groups, and volunteering for other campaigns. There’s been talk about building more diversity into politics for years, and we are committed to ensure this talk becomes a tangible and measured reality.” ~ Janet Andrews, NWDLC, Secretary-Treasurer
The NWDLC recognizes that successful leaders have benefitted from mentoring and support to run in politics.
In most cases, women and non-binary people must be asked to run for political leadership positions because they don’t see themselves reflected there. The longer-term vision of this initiative is to build a movement where women and non-binary people see themselves in positive and powerful political positions with a clear path to get there.
And the need to be asked becomes a faint and distant memory.

Coleen Jones, President, NWDLC
“This project is both a clear, deliberate call and an invitation to join a preparatory program experience. It is an opportunity for unions to provide tangible support for their members to run for political office in their communities. The NWDLC will be asking our affiliated unions to nominate and support members who identify as women or non-binary, with priority on those also identifying as IBPOC, for this opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and a direct path to success though a simple, proven process." ~ Coleen Jones, President, NWDLC
The ultimate goal of this initiative is to use a gender-aware lens to build better communities.
By activating and empowering more women and non-binary people who share our values of strong, inclusive, resilient, healthy communities, we ignite a clear path to successfully run for elected municipal office for future generations.
Preparing for a Better Future with Greater Diversity in Political Leadership kicks off this Spring 2021 with the following two opportunities. Further details will be released in April 2021.
