Equal Voice’s Election Tracker: Women and Gender-Diverse Candidates on the Ballot
April 24, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – Equal Voice is once again tracking who’s running in this federal election—because who puts their name forward, and who gets elected, shapes the future of our country. This election marks another critical moment to advance meaningful representation of women and gender-diverse individuals in Canadian politics—and to ensure those voices are not just present, but truly valued.
Current data shows that women and gender-diverse individuals make up 39% of candidates for the Bloc Québécois, 51% for the NDP, 35% for the Liberal Party, and 22% for the Conservative Party. While progress is rarely linear, this year’s numbers reveal a concerning trend: three out of four major federal parties have nominated a smaller share of women candidates compared to the 2021 election. Fewer women leaders on the ballot is a setback for gender equity in politics.
“We need a political landscape where everyone sees themselves reflected in decision-making roles,” says Lindsay Brumwell, Interim Executive Director of Equal Voice. “That means removing barriers and creating real access points for women and gender-diverse individuals who want to lead. Representation isn’t a symbolic gesture or a box to tick.”
Equal Voice’s latest awareness campaign, “It Really Matters”, is built around one truth: representation impacts everything. From public policy to daily life, who’s at the table matters. Through videos, local events, and community stories, the campaign amplifies voices from across the country calling for gender equity in politics, because the decisions being made today affect all of us.
“Democracy is strongest when it reflects the full diversity of the people it serves,” says Brumwell. “This isn’t just the responsibility of political parties—real change happens when Canadians step up. Whether it’s encouraging a woman to run, donating to an organization like Equal Voice, or volunteering on a campaign, every action contributes to a more inclusive and representative democracy.”
For more than 24 years, Equal Voice has helped prepare hundreds of women and gender-diverse individuals to run for office through campaign schools, mentorship, research, and network-building. Some of these alumni are now candidates in the 2025 federal election.
Ensuring that women and gender-diverse individuals not only get on the ballot, but succeed in political life, takes more than good intentions. That’s why this election; we’re inviting Canadians to take action:
- Donate to support leadership training and campaign readiness: www.equalvoice.ca/donate
- Join a local chapter or volunteer—because grassroots support matters
- Encourage a woman in your life to run for office—research shows it often takes 5 to 7 asks.
- Vote—because every voice and every ballot really matters
As the 2025 federal election unfolds, Equal Voice will continue to highlight where representation falls short, and advance real solutions to close those gaps through education, training, and mentorship. Achieving gender equity in politics requires a collective commitment from everyone, and Equal Voice will be there every step of the way: tracking progress, developing new programming, and building the capacity and landscape that benefits all Canadians.
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About Equal Voice: Equal Voice is a registered charity dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics through research and education. Since 2001, Equal Voice has been at the forefront of advocating for equal representation of women and gender-diverse individuals in Canada's Parliament, provincial and territorial legislatures, and municipal councils.
For media interviews, please contact:
Barbara Barrett
343-998-8906
