On April 5, 1917, women won the right to vote in British Columbia. During the 100 years that have passed since that historic date, women have broken barriers in the political realms and continue to push for gender equality.
The Gazette checked in with five of our local municipal politicians to find out how they would gauge West ShoreB次元官网网址檚 political climate and how female councillors or mayors are treated.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really important that women in politics B次元官网网址� or other leadership positions B次元官网网址� are modeling for other women,B次元官网网址� said Langford Coun. Lillian Szpak. B次元官网网址淲e want more diversity.B次元官网网址�
When looking at the United NationsB次元官网网址� minimum goals for the number of women sitting in elected positions nationally, she said B次元官网网址渨e still have a ways to go.B次元官网网址� But when looking at the municipal level, thereB次元官网网址檚 much more balanced representation between the sexes. B次元官网网址淭he climate at the municipal level is quite welcoming to women,B次元官网网址� Szpak noted. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a natural role for women and they bring their perspective to the table.B次元官网网址�
That may be because municipal politics is the closest connection many have to the political world and, as Szpak noted, councillors are more accountable to the people, not just financially, but the decisions they make and how they live and work in the community are all under a very close microscope. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e encountering the community B次元官网网址� thereB次元官网网址檚 a sense of being connected.B次元官网网址�
While working on her masterB次元官网网址檚 at Royal Roads University, Szpak wrote her thesis on women in leadership positions. What she learned from the process was there are a number of misconceptions surrounding women in politics.
Often she noted, thereB次元官网网址檚 this belief that women canB次元官网网址檛 handle these leadership roles without the support of men, because historically men have been the decision makers. B次元官网网址淚 think that has changed B次元官网网址� In my experience women support other women.B次元官网网址�
Szpak first ran for council in 2002 after serving on a standing committee for the City. Roughly 15 years later, she said B次元官网网址渋n a democracy the best representation you can have is people from all walks of life B次元官网网址� You need to have different views.B次元官网网址�
But, she empathized, thatB次元官网网址檚 not just limited to women.
View Royal Coun. Heidi Rast decided to get into politics back in 2008. B次元官网网址淚 was looking for something challenging that was very different from my career,B次元官网网址� she said. Rast works as a molecular virology research technician for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which as she put it, means she develops tests to detect viruses in plants B次元官网网址� something that is very different than forming municipal policies.
Before deciding to run, Rast opted to test the waters and see what sheB次元官网网址檇 be getting into by sitting in on council meetings and gauging the tone of discussions. B次元官网网址淚 liked what I saw,B次元官网网址� she said.
After several years on council she still enjoys that discussion. B次元官网网址淭he hardest thing is trying to get consensus around the table B次元官网网址� You see that even when youB次元官网网址檙e discussing regional issues.B次元官网网址� But gender has never played a role in that discussion, at least not as Rast is concerned. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always felt comfortable speaking up.B次元官网网址� She added itB次元官网网址檚 often about the experiences, knowledge and skills councillors can bring forward that help them form their decisions.
More diversity on councils helps build on that. B次元官网网址淚 think we need strong candidates.B次元官网网址� Often during municipal elections, Rast noted there can be a limited number of candidates running. B次元官网网址淚 would like to see more candidates step up for residents to choose from with diverse backgrounds.B次元官网网址� She added, B次元官网网址渋t would be nice to figure out why people arenB次元官网网址檛 running and get them interested.B次元官网网址�
Coun. Moralea Milne is in the midst of serving on her third term with Metchosin council. But getting there wasnB次元官网网址檛 easy.
B次元官网网址淲hen you start itB次元官网网址檚 a steep learning curve,B次元官网网址� she said. A fellow councillor who served as a mentor for Milne helped her learn the ropes and get over that initial stumbling block. While finding that right balance can be tricky, especially for those with young families, Milne noted she sees more young faces every year at UBCM and sheB次元官网网址檚 hopeful that will continue.
With municipal elections slated for 2018, sheB次元官网网址檚 also hoping a more diverse group of residents will step forward across the region. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 personally reaching out to other women to run,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 think women do bring a unique perspective.B次元官网网址�
Across the region, that sentiment seems to ring true. There has been lots of female councillors, mayors and board or committee members. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 feel IB次元官网网址檝e ever been fighting a male/female dynamic,B次元官网网址� Milne said, adding sheB次元官网网址檚 in good company in Metchosin.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 more our political views B次元官网网址� I think the fact IB次元官网网址檓 an environmentalist has more effect,B次元官网网址� she said with a laugh. B次元官网网址淚 think our area is very special B次元官网网址� Metchosin is very progressive in many ways.B次元官网网址�
Milne noted Metchosin has always had a good council in terms of respect and the decision making process B次元官网网址� which she credits Mayor John Ranns for making sure everyone has a voice at the table. But that hasnB次元官网网址檛 always been her experience on some of the regional boards and commissions. There was one, she noted, when she first started that was dominated by one type of perspective and that limited opposing views from being heard. That led to a toxic environment where discussions werenB次元官网网址檛 respectful. However, by adding a few more women to the board, she noted that atmosphere completely changed.
Mayor Carol Hamilton has found herself in similar situations. She started with Colwood as a councillor and took a break for a few years before returning to serve as mayor in 2011. Looking back at past councils, she noted it wasnB次元官网网址檛 that long ago when that balance was skewed.
A desire to move Colwood in a new direction helped unite council with a common goal. B次元官网网址淚t takes a team to find a direction, to believe in a vision and move it forward.B次元官网网址� Before, she noted council had some problems with people opposing motions based on their personal opinions of other councillors. A large changeover helped as most were starting at the same place in terms of their experience on council. B次元官网网址淲e had to prove we were changing and doing things respectfully B次元官网网址� ThatB次元官网网址檚 been my goal,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淥nce weB次元官网网址檙e here, weB次元官网网址檙e here together. We can have good healthy debate.B次元官网网址�
As mayor, Hamilton noted, sheB次元官网网址檚 worked hard to rebuild councilB次元官网网址檚 trust in each other. At the beginning that meant some meetings would go for hours because each councillor wanted their time to ask their questions and make sure they were answered adequately. Now that more trust has been built, Hamilton noted council meetings tend to go a little quicker and thatB次元官网网址檚 not about rubber stamping motions, it just means that that trust has been re-established. B次元官网网址淣ow we can engage in a more wholesome conversation and it goes quicker.B次元官网网址�
However, in her years of service Hamilton has noticed turnover on council often happens when results are not as fast as individuals would like. B次元官网网址淰ery little is very straight forward and immediate,B次元官网网址� she said. A better understanding of the municipal process, what councils are capable of making decisions on and how many hoops those decisions must past through are often stumbling blocks.
She added that a number of really good people tend to fade out because B次元官网网址渢hey think they canB次元官网网址檛 make that change they want happen B次元官网网址� We see it a lot.B次元官网网址�
Highlands Coun. Karen Burns is in the midst of serving her first term as a councillor. For those looking to get involved in municipal politics, Burns warned it can be a bit of a learning curve and one that takes up a lot of time. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 want to downplay the amount of work B次元官网网址� That was the biggest surprise,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 (also) frustrating.B次元官网网址� Burns recalled the first time one of her motions was defeated. She remembered thinking everyone hates me but quickly realized itB次元官网网址檚 not personal. For those considering a move to politics, she said, B次元官网网址淚 wouldnB次元官网网址檛 let that discourage anyone from running B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 not always rosy but itB次元官网网址檚 a very worthwhile experience.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 that experience that keeps her going. B次元官网网址淎t the municipal level you have greater control of what happens in your community B次元官网网址� You really get to make a difference B次元官网网址� or at least try,B次元官网网址� she added with a laugh. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really fulfilling to serve your community B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 a really great way to volunteer your time.B次元官网网址�
As for gender roles, that has no impact. B次元官网网址淚n the Highlands it doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter what your gender is,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 think thatB次元官网网址檚 what I really like about Highlands council, people bring forward their ideas B次元官网网址� and represent their community.B次元官网网址�
