Initiative seeks to bump up female and diverse candidates in Niagara elections

Pelham Regional Councillor Diana Huson is partnering with some major female-lead and diversity groups in Niagara, hoping to encourage more women and the BIPOC community into municipal politics.

Together with the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) ,Women in Niagara (WIN), City of St. Catharines, YWCA, Future Black Female, Services 4 Humanity and Muslim Senior Circle, Huson is spearheading an initiative called “Seat at the Table.”

Huson said, “As the Chair of Niagara Regions Women’s Advisory Committee, I’m thrilled to see the Seat at the Table program kicking off at the Regional level.”

With a nod to the six organizations getting involved with Niagara, she added, “I would like to thank our community partners who have worked hard to prepare exciting and engaging workshops for our residents. Increasing the number of women and gender diverse people, particularly from underrepresented groups, elected for municipal government in Niagara is essential to ensuring that municipal policy and programming can better reflect the diverse needs of our community.”

The problem is – and always has been – that Niagara has a population of less than half male and yet is overwhelmed at the municipal council level with white males. Most municipal council tables have few women and even less BIPOC representation.

So the new initiative is seeking to increase those numbers from underrepresented groups, elected for municipal government in Niagara. Said the Region, “The program aims to promote understanding, awareness, and confidence through education, mentorship and support to those interested in running for election.”

The first session, taking place virtually on April 7 at 6 pm, will be open to all women and gender diverse people across all 12 local municipalities.

“This program has the capacity to improve the quality and effectiveness of our local political institutions,” said Huson.

With the municipal election coming this October, “the program consists of four workshops that will help women, gender diverse people, and underrepresented groups feel informed and educated when making the decision to run for local government or supporting a female or gender diverse candidate.”

At the end of this session, those participants who want to run for municipal government can apply to participate in the following three workshops – one per month until June – targeted towards campaigning and entering politics.

It includes the basics – getting organized to run, working with other levels of government, policy and planning to the more specific challenges continually facing women and minorities, such as managing public scrutiny, harassment, addressing bias and discrimination.

Residents who are interested are asked to register at: https://www.niagararegion.ca/projects/seat-at-the-table/default.aspx