Women Win in By-Elections, Highlighting Gains and Gaps in Representation
April 21, 2026 – OTTAWA, ON – Equal Voice congratulates all the candidates who participated in the recent federal by-elections, especially the nine women out of twelve candidates who stepped forward to run and serve their neighbours.
We would also like to congratulate Danielle Martin, Doly Begum, and Tatiana Auguste on their win. These by-elections are a critical reminder that every vote matters.
As a multi-partisan organization dedicated to advancing gender equity in Canadian politics, Equal Voice views by-elections as important indicators of progress, and of the work that remains between every election.
Following the 2025 federal election, women and gender-diverse Members of Parliament represented 30.3% of the House of Commons — a slight decline from the 30.6% achieved in 2021. These by-elections have helped recover that lost ground, bringing representation back to 30.6%. While returning to the 2021 benchmark is worth acknowledging, it also underscores how fragile progress can be, and why sustained, intentional effort is needed to move beyond recovery and toward genuine advancement.
"We continue to see strong, capable women stepping forward across the political spectrum, strengthening our democracy one candidate and one vote at a time," said Lindsay Brumwell, Interim Executive Director of Equal Voice. "However, progress is not linear. Since 2015, and four general elections, the number of women in parliament continue to hover at the 30% mark. This is why Equal Voice’s programs and resources continue to be so critical today.”
Systemic change requires intentional action. For Equal Voice, these by-election results reinforce several priorities for Canadians and those in the political sector:
- Recruiting and supporting women candidates across all parties and regions, and strengthening the pipeline of future leaders well before elections are called, so they can lead, connect, and compete from nomination through to election day and beyond.
- The role of campaign teams, volunteers, and voters in shaping more representative outcomes.
If you’re interested in running for office and not sure where to start, there’s a place for you here, and your voice matters.
Equal Voice remains committed to advancing this work through education, mentorship, research, and national network-building, supporting women and gender-diverse individuals at every stage of the political journey.
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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:
Carmen Doucette
(905) 435-6433
