More can be done to get women on election ballots: Equal Voice
Women make up 51 per cent of N.L.'s population, but 38 per cent of electoral candidates
· CBC News · Posted: Oct 05, 2025 4:30 AM EDT | Last Updated: October 5
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Kate Cadigan is the chair of Equal Voice N.L., a multi-partisan, non-profit organization that advocates for more women and gender diverse representation in politics. (Submitted by Kate Cadigan)
The chair of Equal Voice Newfoundland and Labrador says steps can still be taken to get more women and gender-diverse people into the political ring.
Only one party was able to reach gender parity for its slate of candidates ahead of Newfoundland and Labrador's general election on Oct. 14.
The NDP has 21 women on the ballot out of its 40 candidates. The Liberals have 14 female or non-binary candidates, and the Progressive Conservatives have 10 female candidates — meaning 38 per cent of the province's candidates in total are female or non-bina
Kate Cadigan, chair of Equal Voice N.L., told CBC News that percentage could be higher. The 2021 census reported women make up 51 per cent of the province's population, but just nine sat as MHAs in the last session of the House of Assembly.
Cadigan said there's concern that the number could ultimately drop after election day if women don't win their races.
"I think that's really important to make sure that we're moving forwards and not backwards, and that's not a very big margin to work with," Cadigan said.
Cadigan is running for councillor at large in a municipal election in St. John's.
"We're trying to get as many folks elected who represent the people who live here," Cadigan said. "I think that's the goal of any good, healthy democracy, that people who are elected to be decision makers, you know, reflect the population."
Speaking with reporters during their own campaigns, both Liberal Leader John Hogan and Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham said they would have liked to see more women on the ballot.
They both spoke of barriers women can face, which can impact the ability to run, like the need for child care during campaigns and taking weeks away from the home or work.
Cadigan said all political leaders have a role to play in helping facilitate more women and gender-diverse people in politics by showing that the political ring is a place they belong.
"It's especially important if we want to keep moving forward and seeing more women and gender diverse individuals in our House of Assembly, and also in other political spaces, that we are inspiring the next generation of women," Cadigan said.
"By running a more gender-balanced slate, you know, your chances of having a more equal House of Assembly are better. And it needs to be a priority."
Cadigan said one idea that could help get more women on the ballot is by improving fixed election date legislation.
While elections have to happen by a certain date in Newfoundland and Labrador — in this case, Oct. 14 — she said having an established date a long period before election day would make it easier for people to plan time away from their jobs or families.
