As I sit here, typing this on International Women's Day, I witnessed a stunning indication yesterday of just how much progress women have made in politics.
For the first time in its history, Ontario's New Democratic Party chose a woman to lead it into a new era at Queen's Park.
It was literally 10 minutes into her first scrum as leader that I asked Andrea Horwath the following question:
"I can't remember, Andrea, but has anyone here asked you what you think about being the first woman leader of the NDP?"
There was silence in the scrum. That doesn't happen very often. Several reporters started shaking their heads, indicating the question had not been asked. Then Horwath herself acknowledged it hadn't.
"I'm very proud of that too," she said.
And that was it. Moving on.
Even though she is only the second ever female leader of a major Ontario political party (Lyn McLeod of the Liberals being the first), it apparently isn't newsworthy anymore that women can become political party leaders, even though it's still rare.
And isn't that a good thing.
Horwath defeated runner-up Peter Tabuns at an exciting, well run convention in Hamilton on Saturday.
The previous comment states that parties choose women as leaders only when men don't want the job. While that is true sometimes, I do not think it is true for Andrea Horwath. She was chosen over 3 male MPPs, all with strong resumes, and Peter Tabuns was successful at getting support from a lot of very well known people in the NDP. I do not think the examples given are very good either. Lyn McLeod beat Murray Elston and some other MPPs at a time when the party had reasonable chances to win, Audrey McLaughlin beat Dave Barrett and four other MPs at a time when the NDP held a lot of seats, and Gilles Duceppe wanted to be the leader of the PQ and would have run except he thought he would lose against Pauline Marois. Kim Campbell is a better example but even then, Jean Charest was a strong opponent.
posted by soccer player on 10 March 2009 at 9:59 PM
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Throughout my years at TVO, viewers have stayed in touch with me through letters, cards, faxes, emails, and phone calls. Here's another option: my blog. Through this forum, I'll let you in on some of what goes on behind the scenes of The Agenda. And I hope you'll send me your thoughts and constructive criticism on how we're doing as well.
The Agenda with Steve Paikin Allan Gregg in Conversation Big Ideas
Think Again
The end for the NDP?
I'm less optimistic or more cynical than you are, Steve. I read something quite different in Andrea Horwath's victory. When I saw the heading on the Sunday newspaper, I thought to myself: Here's the confirmation that Ontario NDP party is moribund.
It's been my experience that Canadian political parties elect (make room for?) female leaders when no one man of real stature really wants the job. I'm thinking of Lyn Mcleod, Audrey McLaughlin, Pauline Marois or the infamous Kim Campbell who could not have safed her party after Mulroney's fall from grace and popular favour.
It's sad but only for now because this too will change. Maybe in time for our daughters.
posted by M. J. R. Ouellet on 09 March 2009 at 8:00 PM