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Founded in 2001 by Rosemary Speirs, Donna Dasko, Libby Burnham and Christina McCall. http://www.canada.com/story_print.html?id=9d9e5d14-3bc0-48af-aaca-e39bd1cea41e&sponsor= Equal Voice is a national, bilingual, multi-partisan, non-governmental, non-profit organization that promotes the election of more women to all levels of Canadian politics. Through public awareness campaigns, campaign schools, research, election tracking, and lobbying political parties, Equal Voice seeks to increase the numbers of women elected to public office federally, provincially and municipally.
Equal Voice promotes the election of more women by:
On October 3, the Minister for the Status of Women, Maryam Monsef, announced an investment of $3.8 million to support Equal Voice's Daughters of the Vote program, over three years.
The second iteration of the program took place from April 1-4, 2019. The four-day program consisted of workshops, hands-on training, panels and presentations, as well as opportunities for the 338 delegates to network with elected officials at all levels of government, from all political parties. Several participants turned their backs when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke in response to his alleged mistreatment of several female politicians during the SNC-Lavalin affair. Some of the delegates also walked out of a speech by then Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the third edition of the program took place virtually from March 5-8, 2021 for the first time ever. The conference had 400 people participating, including delegates, Elders, panelists, partnering organizations, sponsors, and leaders from every federal political party in Canada. A third event is likely to take place in the spring of 2023.
In past sessions, DOV delegates were eligible to apply for a Rosemary Speirs Community Grant, in order to financially support them in realizing beneficial initiatives in their communities. The Community Grant is named in honour of Dr. Rosemary Speirs, a founder of Equal Voice.
Equal Voice provided research and advice to multiple provincial legislatures and political parties, and testified at the federal Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities on Bill C-65, an act to amend the Canada Labour Code in regard to harassment and violence, the Parliamentary Employment and Staff Relations Act, and the Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No. 1.
In 2019, Equal Voice reported it was optimistic about reaching the 30% mark for women's representation in the House of Commons. However, on October 21, 2019, just 98 women were elected to the House of Commons, up from 88 in 2015, falling short of the 102 needed to hit 30%.
The EVE award is given to an outstanding women in politics, whereas the Catalyst for Change award is granted to a man in political leadership that has made strides in elevating the role of women in public life.
Previous Eve Award recipients include the Right Honourable Kim Campbell, the Honourable Anne McLellan, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament Carolyn Bennett, former Member of Parliament and federal cabinet minister Flora MacDonald, Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, former Ontario cabinet minister Frances Lankin and the Hon. Belinda Stronach. Equal Voice to Honour Belinda Stronach as Recipient of 2010 Eve Ottawa Award "Equal Voice Press Release," November 9, 2010
Previous Catalyst for Change award recipients include The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Jack Layton, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, and The Right Honourable Jean Chretien.
Equal Voice Experiences is a national mentorship program funded by Status of Women Canada which aims to engage girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 25 to learn about the impact of politics on their lives and how they might become involved in the process.
The Canada Challenge is intended to promote change among political parties to elect more women in Canada. In May 2009, EV launched its second Canada Challenge, where in anticipation of the next federal election, Equal Voice secured the commitment of the five federal party leaders to nominate more women to run for their parties. This resulted in an increase in the numbers of women nominated and elected in 2011, from 22 percent of parliament after the 2008 election to 25 percent of parliament after the 2011 election.
The Ontario Challenge was created to help elect more women to Queen’s Park. In 2006, Equal Voice asked the leaders of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Liberals and New Democratic Party to commit to nominating more female candidates. All three party leaders agreed to take up the Challenge, and as a result, the number of women elected to Queen’s Park in one election cycle increased by 7 per cent overall.
Getting to the Gate Online Campaign School, Getting to the Gate Online Campaign School is an online campaign school that provides practical tools for women of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life interested in running for public office in order to boost women’s participation in all levels of government. The course is led by Equal Voice and funded by Status and Women Canada, and was made possible by the contributions of many individuals and organizations.
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