Weyburn will be hosting a a two-day workshop aimed at helping women overcome the obstacles they face in running for municipal office. The workshop will be held August 18 and 19.
"This is one more concrete contribution to FCM's continued efforts to increase the participation of women in municipal decision-making," said Karen Leibovici, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and councillor for the City of Edmonton. "We are grateful for the financial support from Status of Women Canada that makes these workshops possible, and for Minister Ambrose's continued commitment to helping us meet our shared objectives. Our best results come when the federal government and Canada's municipalities work together, and this program is an excellent example of such a partnership."
While women make up over 52 per cent of the Canadian population, only 25 per cent of the country's elected municipal representatives are female. Canada ranks 42nd out of 189 countries for the number of women in politics.
The workshop is one in a series that FCM is offering in municipalities across the country with funding from Status of Women Canada (SWC). The workshops provide instruction, networking, and mentorship opportunities to women interested in running for municipal office. Women who already serve on municipal councils are involved in the workshops wherever possible, and provide a mentorship role.
"These workshops are an excellent opportunity to increase the participation of women in building a stronger Canada. We hope that the Weyburn venue will draw a large number of registrants from the Weyburn area and surroundings," said Debra Button, mayor of the City of Weyburn. "More women at the table will make a difference."
"FCMs program will make a meaningful contribution to help us reach the United Nations target of having a minimum of 30 per cent female participation in government," noted Toronto Councillor Pam McConnell, chair of FCM's Committee on Increasing Women's Participation in Municipal Government.
The workshops are just one element of FCM's broader program to increase the number of women in municipal government. Participants are invited to register online at fcm.ca/home/events/upcoming-events.htm.
