Four and a half years after the surge #Me too, how do Ontario MPs view sexism? Radio-Canada asked outgoing elected officials who will stand for re-election on June 2 to share their experiences of harassment and intimidation. Seven of them, from all political persuasion, agreed to testify.
The bosses would call me in the middle of the night and ask what I was wearing or use their authority to convince me to go out with them.commemoration of Lucille Collard, current MP and candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party in Ottawa-Vanier.
This situation, he experienced it before he was elected when he was working in political offices. Since then, Ms. Collard greater stability at a stronger position in [sa] legitimacyhe writes to us.
In the testimonies gathered, the element that stands out the most is the sexualization to which female politicians are subject.
I once introduced myself to a community event organizer who greeted me with, “Are you my reward on the weekend? Haha – I’ll have a hard time explaining to my husband!”shared by Jennifer French, MP for NDP since 2014.
Not surprisingly, inappropriate comments are related to the physique – tell you how good you are (or how tired you are), and [ils] think that their contribution or favor is desirable or interestingquoted Ms. French with some supporting examples.
It’s fun to see guys commenting on my intelligence when working with mehe continued with humor and annoyance.
I have never seen a man tell another man that his intelligence was unexpected. As a Member of the Legislative Assembly, I expect a colleague to be qualified and competent – it should be a surprise if he or she is not. Good integration …
Some elected women provoke male criticism aimed at their attitude or tone. Like my boss Andrea Horwath, I was called angry when I insisted on myself or asked the government.the outgoing deputy of NDPMarit Stiles.
The chef, certainly, notes that women’s voices are still hard to hear.
As a woman leaderI can tell you that our voices, our contributions, our experience and our abilities are all too often ignored, underestimated, outright ignored and often judged more harshly, written by Andrea Horwath. And it’s even harder for racialized, transgender and queer women.
These situations drive women who are victims of them to adopt certain response and prevention strategies.
” When people tell me how good I am at my job, I often let them know that, most of all, I’m good too. I admit it makes the situation awkward, but I don’t know why I’m still expected to say thank you for unsolicited personal comments. “
Ms. explained. French that he has made perfect a shy, slowly blinking look in response to inappropriate comments until corrected, apologized, or chicked out.
But not all of them have the same observation, whether it is due to personal experience or the political line of the party to be defended.
I did not encounter any extraordinary difficulties as a woman during my first term as an MPsaid curator Donna Skelly. My male colleagues at Queen’s Park made no sexist comments about me. They always respect me. Comments from members of the online public can sometimes be critical or negative, he acknowledges, but they are not sexist.
Sorority
To form a common front against sexism and other manifestations of discrimination, few representatives produce a necessary sisterhood beyond political divisions.
Conservative MP Jill Dunlop, for example, recently expressed support for her Green Party of Ontario rival in Simcoe North, Indigenous candidate Krystal Brooks, whose campaign signs were vandalized by racist and hate.
Another victim of vandalism during the election campaign, Liberal candidate Mitzie Hunter saw 16 of her electoral signs damaged by abusive speech in early May.
Supporting other women in politics is very important and important to me, no matter what party they represent, dispute by Ms. Dunlop. He invited Internet users to read his opponent’s statement, which he did not hesitate to deliver on his own election page.
” The policy must change. It has never been a welcome place for women or marginalized people. “
A finding similar to that of NDP MP Laura Mae Lindo when asked about women’s political challenges. It is impossible to answer this question without specifying that I am not only a woman, but a black womanwritten by the elect single mother who also fought for reimbursement of child care costs for MLAs.
(a) Social networks
Finally, all those referring to online threats on social networks in their responses sent to Radio-Canada agree that it is necessary to establish control over comments broadcast on these public platforms, real sexist shooting ranges.
Between personal assault and harassment, there are many [femmes] do not want to get involved in politics because social networks are becoming increasingly toxicsaid Eleni Bakopanos, former Liberal MP and spokesperson for Equal Voice, an organization that encourages women in politics and of which she was president from 2019 to 2021.
As a counselor, Ms. Candidates will be asked to assign the management of social networks to a member of their electoral team.
In a campaign, we know that there are some political parties that have their own trolls, a whole group of people attacking opponents. […]. Parties indulging in these activities are unacceptable in a democracy, and I don’t believe the public wants that. Honestly, what the public wants is a real debate of ideas.
With information from Camille Feireisen
Source: Radio-Canada
