Evidence of meeting #106 for Status of Women in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was data.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
To be more precise on this research, I said civil society, but it's Dr. Melanee Thomas of the University of Calgary. It shows that, when recruiting in ridings they know they can win, they prefer to place male candidates, so it's in the recruitment process, from what I understand.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I find it interesting, because it speaks to motive or desire rather than simply an observation of numerical value. I would be interested to know the research that shows that a party is motivated to put men in winnable ridings and to put women in non-winnable ridings. Do we have any research that would show that is the motive of parties?
Director of Operations, Democratic Institutions, Privy Council Office
I'm not aware of any.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Thank you.
My next question is for Status of Women.
You've made it clear that harassment is one barrier that a woman would face that would perhaps prevent her from entering into politics, or that a woman would give as a reason to not enter into politics.
Often when we talk about harassment, we talk about the actions of a man towards a woman. Do you have any information with regard to the harassment that women face from their female colleagues?
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
I'm not aware of any research that's looked into that.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
You wouldn't be aware of any women giving that as a reason to not enter.
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
If there is research, I haven't had access to it in my three years with Status of Women Canada.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Have you ever asked questions on that or done studies with regard to that?
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
Status of Women Canada did not have a research budget before 2016, and we hadn't done research for some time before then, so as an agency, we have not asked that research question.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
It would be an interesting one to ask, because in my conversations with women, whether it's at the municipal level, provincial level, or federal level, it's a comment that is consistently made. There are many women who don't have a problem with their male colleagues, but they certainly feel degraded by their female colleagues. There are many women who would say that their female colleagues are more likely to hold them down or hold them back than their male colleagues. It would be a very interesting point for a study.
My next question is also for Status of Women.
We talk a lot about diversity, and I believe you did in your opening remarks, and you talked about the fact that we want a diverse House of Commons. We want a diverse provincial legislature. We want diverse municipal governments. If diversity is a good thing, which, of course, I think all of us around this table agree, should it then be encouraged in all areas when it comes to the political realm and women entering into political office?
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
I'm sorry, it sounds like you're asking a subjective question, which I wouldn't be in a position to answer.
Conservative
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
In all political realms?
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
If all forms of diversity should be supported for women entering into political office—
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
—I believe that the position of government would be yes, women with disabilities, minority women of various types, and indigenous women. My understanding of this government's position is that yes, all forms of disability intersectionality should enter into this discussion, absolutely.
Conservative
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
No. There is no hierarchy of rights from a constitutional perspective and I don't believe from a government policy perspective either.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
That's good.
What about faith? Should women of all faiths enter into politics?
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
I have never been privy to a government position on that issue.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Are there certain beliefs that don't belong in politics? Should women of all beliefs be running?
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
We're not in a position to answer.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
What about values? Should women of all values run? Would the House of Commons be open to women of all values?
Director General, Policy and External Relations, Office of the Co-ordinator, Status of Women Canada
That's not for our agency. I don't have a departmental point of view on that issue.