A study session Monday provided delegates with a powerful and meaningful discussion on the ongoing work by community leaders advancing initiatives supporting more inclusive and diverse local governments.
MLA Grace Lore, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity, provided introductory comments on some of the actions and initiatives the provincial government is moving forward in the areas of gender equity – noting that BC has one of the highest pay equity gaps in Canada at 16.7 percent.
“It is not just about gender – Indigenous, racialized, disabled, newcomer, and 2sLGBTQ+ face ever bigger gaps”. MLA Lore noted the commitment of the government to develop pay transparency legislation, and the action plan to help end gender-based violence.
The session also included updates on critical pilot projects in British Columbia supported through CanWILL, a three-year $1.5 million funding program aimed to increase the participation and retention of women in municipal leadership and support a more diverse, inclusive and equitable environment in municipal governance processes.
Mayor Kathy Moore of Rossland introduced Pride and Power, an initiative aimed to encourage 2sLGBTQ+ individuals to consider local government. The research project included a literature review of 2sLGBTQ+ in Canadian politics; a scan of Rossland’s policies and programs; and community engagement.
Speaking to the pilot project titled Elect Her! Northwest BC: This is What Leadership Looks Like, Witset Council Member Kayla Mitchell noted that despite making up over 50 percent of the population, less than 20 percent of Chief Councillors and Mayors are women, and less than 30 percent are Councillors.
The pilot aims to normalize the role of women of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations and lived experiences as elected community leaders; inspire more women to run for elected office; remove barriers impeding meaningful participation of women in government; broaden the definition of what effective community leadership looks like, and foster and support female leaders.