Women in politics urging others to run

A group of women with backgrounds in municipal politics is encouraging other women to run for council.

Brandon-based Her Seat at the Table (HSATT) is hosting a panel discussion next Tuesday evening with the goal of inspiring more women to run for city council in the October municipal election.

The five panellists are Boissevain-Morton Head of Council Judy Swanson, former Brandon councillor Jan Chaboyer, Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox, Two Borders Reeve Sandra Clark and Wallace-Woodworth Coun. Val Caldwell.

“I’ve been in municipal politics for quite a few years, and I know how rewarding it is,” Swanson said on Thursday.

“I know how exciting it is sometimes to see your municipality move forward.”

She said she is prepared to answer any questions she might be asked on Tuesday and is willing to talk to anyone who is curious about what her time in office has been like.

Swanson said she believes there are still barriers facing women when running for office, though there aren’t as many as there used to be. People are more open to women holding political positions, she said, and doors open for other women after the first woman is elected to the head of council.

“I would encourage anyone, but in particular women, because there’s very few at the table, so really I just want to encourage them to give it a try,” she said.

HSATT was formed last year to encourage more women to run for council in Brandon, where only one woman currently holds a position among 11 seats. The city has also only had one woman serve as mayor.

An organizer previously said that HSATT doesn’t have a political leaning and is simply a resource for women.

Its first event in December was an open house format where people could chat with sitting Brandon council members and staff.

Knox, who also serves as the Association of Manitoba Municipalities cities caucus chair, said she’s also participating on the panel to encourage women to take part in municipal politics.

“I think it’s very important that we support women and anyone who’s interested in running for municipal politics because we do know we don’t have gender parity at our tables yet, so there’s got to be reasons why more women aren’t involved,” Knox told the Sun.

The panel might be able to share insights and address some issues people might have, she said.

“We need to encourage it all over our communities, because we need diversity around our tables — all types of diversity and women is just one,” Knox said. “So, I just hope that events like this sort of trickle off and become more commonplace in communities throughout Manitoba.”

Of the province’s 137 municipalities, women sit at the head of council in only 22, she said.

“We would love to see those numbers increase.”

There “absolutely” are barriers for women, Knox said, citing parental leave and just the perception of there not being a lot of women active in municipal politics.

She added that being the mayor of her city is a very rewarding position.

Caldwell, who has served as a councillor for 20 years in the former RM of Woodworth and the now amalgamated RM of Wallace-Woodworth, said she has seen progression over the years.

“When I first started on council, there were so few women across the province that were involved in municipal politics, and I would say that definitely shifted,” said Caldwell, who also serves as the RM’s deputy reeve.

“My first term, I was the only female around my table, and now there’s three females around the table,” she said.

She said different well-rounded perspectives when it comes to making decisions is a positive thing.

“I think if you get seven people around the table who are all the same — say seven farmers who don’t work outside the home, or run a cattle farm, run a grain farm — they don’t always have the different perspective that’s required,” Caldwell said.

“There’s a lot to learn around the table — everything from budgeting to different committees you sit on, like a health committee or a recreation committee. So, I just think the more perspectives, the better.”

Caldwell said she hasn’t personally experienced any barriers because she’s a woman.

Clark also said she has enjoyed her time on council, which she has found to be “very fulfilling.”

“You can affect the lives of your ratepayers in a positive way, and there’s something pretty fulfilling about that,” Clark said.

Swanson said she’s hoping to bring an organization like HSATT to Boissevain-Morton.

“I really think it’s important for people to understand the importance of rural politics at the municipal level. There’s a lot of decisions that are being made to move your municipality forward, and so it’s important that you get different viewpoints at the table, so it’s not all one viewpoint,” she said.

“I’m excited about Tuesday. I’m hoping that we have a good turnout, and I’m hoping that some people that are listening or that are asking questions will decide, you know, maybe (running) is not a bad idea.”

HSATT co-founder Tracy Baker said Tuesday’s event will be more of a strategic session, where a moderator and community members will be able to ask questions.

“We really hope that it’s a more informative type of event, and having the knowledge and experience of the five panellists is going to be really, really interesting,” Baker said on Wednesday.

Baker said there are some people she has heard from who have general interest in running in the next election, but there aren’t any commitments.

She said she hopes the five panellists will help people understand the process.

The panellists were chosen, Baker said, because they are relatable, have stories to tell and have an impact on their communities. An invitation was also sent out to Brandon’s Ward 1 Coun. Heather Karrouze, who wasn’t able to join because of a council commitment.

Karrouze told the Sun that she is sorry she won’t be able to attend but said the panellists all have great perspectives to share.

“It is encouraging to see the HSATT group gaining momentum and encouraging women to consider council,” Karrouze said in a text message. “Greater diversity at the table would be welcome!”

Tuesday’s event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall at Brandon University and is open to everyone.

The Sun was unable to reach Chaboyer on Thursday.

» alambert@brandonsun.com