Far more women than men not seeking re-election in Quebec’s fall vote

Far more women than men are saying goodbye to the Quebec legislature ahead of the fall election.

Of the 34 members who have announced they won’t be seeking re-election, 22 are women. That means women represent nearly two-thirds of the departures, even though they hold less than half the seats in the 125-seat legislature.

“We’re not managing to encourage or have women seek re-election,” said Idil Issa, with Muslim Women Against Racism and co-founder of Mouvement Montreal, a municipal party. “I know the politics in Quebec can be difficult for women.”

For former federal Member of Parliament and political analyst, Eleni Bakopanos, a double phenomenon is taking place.

“There are more women seeking an election, yet there are also more women than men leaving politics even after one term or even two terms and not staying as it used to be in the past,” she said.

The trend is most apparent in the governing Coalition Avenir Quebec party, where nine women have chosen not to run again, compared to three men.

The departing women in the CAQ include three cabinet ministers, Marguerite Blais, Danielle McCann, Nadine Girault, and two ex-ministers who were shuffled out earlier in the party’s first term.

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More women than men – eight compared to five – are choosing not to run again for the Quebec Liberal Party, which has seen nearly half its caucus decide against seeking another term, including Paule Robitaille and Kathleen Weil.

The Parti Quebecois is losing two women, including Veronique Hivon and two men, while only one woman, Catherine Dorion, from Quebec solidaire has chosen to give up her seat. One Conservative and one Independent female legislature member have also decided not to run.

While each candidate has their own personal reasons for leaving, the gender imbalance is raising questions as to why some women appear to struggle to adapt to parliamentary life.

“The fact that there are younger women seeking office and then wanting to have families and that then they look at, ‘Does politics offer a balance between your personal life and your professional life?’ And it really is very, very hard to keep that balance. I lived it with two young children,” Bakopanos said.

However, the list of candidates on the CAQ’s website suggests that many women are eager to represent the party in the legislature come October. Women appear to significantly outnumber men on the list of candidates who have been named to run in the seats the party doesn’t hold.

“I think, Legault not only his party, the Coalition Avenir Quebec, but also the Liberals, Quebec solidaire, they all need to have explicit policies in regards to promoting women in politics and making sure that life is easier,” said Issa. “Whether that is in regards to maternity leaves, generous maternity leave policies, whether that’s in regards to childcare.”

Some also point to online harassment being a factor and sometimes the lack of opportunities to climb the ranks.

“With all parties, I think it’s important for them to really make sure that the women in the party are given the chance to have important portfolios as well,” Issa said. “Things handled by the province include health care and education, two areas which I think in particular affect women, so it’s unfortunate that so many women are not seeking re-election.”