Equal Voice Welcomes New Parliament, Calls for Renewed Commitment to Gender Parity in Canadian Politics
June 13, 2025 – Ottawa, ON — Today on Parliament Hill, Lindsay Brumwell, Interim Executive Director of Equal Voice, addressed media to recognize the recent return of Canada’s Parliament and to congratulate all newly elected and re-elected Members of Parliament following the 2025 federal election.
“At Equal Voice, we are pleased to mark this new chapter in Canadian democracy and recognize the dedication it takes to serve in public office. We extend our sincere congratulations to every Member who stepped forward to represent their communities,” said Brumwell. “As this new Parliament gets to work, we aim to remind all leaders that gender parity in our political institutions is not just a goal—it’s a demonstration of utilizing the full talent of this country”.
While progress is not linear, Equal Voice notes that the representation of women and gender-diverse individuals federally has stalled. Following the 2025 election, women and gender-diverse MPs now make up 30% of the House of Commons—a slight decrease from the last Parliament. Cabinet composition reflects a continued commitment to gender representation, with 14 out of 28 ministers being women.
Equal Voice’s research continues to show that systemic and societal barriers continue to shape who runs—and who stays—in public office. Limited access to mentorship, the structure of federal politics, and the ongoing perception by many women that they are not “qualified enough” to run all contribute to a political environment that too often sidelines talent and critical expertise.
Recent public opinion research reveals both opportunity and urgency. In a February 2025, 86% of Canadians agreed that it’s important to have women as elected representatives—yet this marks a decline since 2022, particularly among young men. Perceptions of the benefits of women’s representation are also declining—making it even more critical to affirm the leadership, perspectives, and contributions women bring to shaping and strengthening Canada’s present and future.
“We encourage everyone, especially political leaders, to recognize the capabilities and expertise of women as critical to shaping the public policy solutions Canada needs, now and into the future,” said Brumwell. “This isn’t just about representation—it’s about the real benefits for our country when women’s, in all their diversity, perspectives and leadership are included at every level of decision making.”
Equal Voice is committed to ensuring that women and gender-diverse individuals are not only asked to run, but have the knowledge, skills, and networks to succeed as candidates—and as elected leaders. Through education, mentorship, research, and network building, the organization is working to create lasting change in Canada’s political landscape.
As the 45th Parliament gets to work, Equal Voice calls on all parties and leaders to make gender equity a priority—not in words, but through concrete action. Breaking down barriers and creating an environment where women and gender-diverse individuals can lead and thrive is essential to a stronger democracy. Equal Voice is here as a partner—committed to working alongside Parliamentarians, political parties, and communities to turn commitments into outcomes and ensure Canada’s leadership reflects the full diversity and strength of its people
Key Facts:
- 30% of Members of Parliament are women or gender-diverse, a slight decline from the previous Parliament.
- Cabinet is currently composed of 14 women out of 28 ministers.
- In a February 2025 survey for Equal Voice, 86% of Canadians said it is important to have women as elected representatives, but this is down significantly since 2022 (91%) — and agreement is much lower among young men.
- 79% say we need more women as elected representatives in Canada, a drop of 7 points since 2022 (86%).
- Most Canadians continue to see the benefits of having more women in office:
- 74% believe it leads to better government policies and decisions.
- 79% believe it leads to better policy, actions, and decisions in general.
- 77% say it results in more accurate representation.
However, each of these figures has declined by 6 or 7 points since 2022.
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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.
Media Contact: Isabelle Del Rio
[email protected]
(647) 839-0445
