IN THE NEWS
January, 2005

January, 2005
Ms. Rosemary Speirs
Chair Equal Voice
1815 Altona Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 1M6

Dear Ms. Speirs,

Thank you for your letter seeking our party’s support for reforms to help more women get elected in Ontario.

New Democrats share your concerns about the lack of equal representation in the Ontario Legislature. Our Party has Affirmative Action Guidelines. I am enclosing a copy for your information. As a general policy 50% of all ridings should have women candidates. In addition, a specific group of ridings are targeted for a further Affirmative Action formula.

I am sharing a copy of your correspondence with Marilyn Churley, MPP, NDP Critic for Women’s Issues. Marilyn has been very active on this issue and I know she will be interested in your comments. I will also pass along a copy to our Party Provincial Secretary.

We look forward to working with your organization in any way we can to help achieve women’s political equality.

Sincerely,

Howard Hampton, MPP
Leader, Ontario NDP
c.c. Marilyn Churley, MPP
Diane O’Reggio, Provincial Secretary ONDP