Federal Party Leaders: Join an Election Debate that Speaks to Women

The Issue

I make less money than the person who sits next to me for doing the same work, just because I’m a woman. Why does this happen?

I can’t find affordable daycare for my family, so someone has to stay at home to look after the kids. What if we both want to go back to work?

It feels like I am seeing story after story on the news about Indigenous women disappearing and being murdered. What can be done to end the violence?

What if we could work together to make sure these questions - and more - are put directly to our political leaders? These issues impact families and communities. They matter to Canadians from across the country. And they are issues that politicians are not talking about!

Imagine if before choosing our next government this October, we could make sure that every party leader spoke about issues affecting women and girls.

We can make that happen! Together, we’re calling for an all party nationally broadcast leaders debate on issues that affect women and girls.

Up For Debate is an alliance of women’s organizations, community groups and international organizations from across Canada. Over 130 groups have joined Up for Debate because we have one thing in common: we believe in equality between men and women, and we want every Canadian to know where our political leaders stand on gender equality.

No matter who you vote for or what party you support, gender inequality impacts us all. It’s in every Canadian’s interest to know where the federal leaders stand on all kind of issues from discrimination to violence, leadership, employment, sexual harassment or child care.

That’s why we’ve launched a petition calling on Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May and Bloc Quebecois leader Mario Beaulieu to participate in a nationally broadcast leader’s debate on issues affecting women and girls. Please sign, and spread the word so that all parties will speak to Canadians about women’s rights.

Here’s who we are: www.upfordebate.ca/who-we-are

And here’s our vision: www.upfordebate.ca/our-vision

Help us make it happen! Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter.

You can check out the last time federal leaders debated women’s issues here: 1984 Debate.

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UP FOR DEBATEPetition Starter

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Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 29,975 supporters!

The Issue

I make less money than the person who sits next to me for doing the same work, just because I’m a woman. Why does this happen?

I can’t find affordable daycare for my family, so someone has to stay at home to look after the kids. What if we both want to go back to work?

It feels like I am seeing story after story on the news about Indigenous women disappearing and being murdered. What can be done to end the violence?

Imagine if before choosing our next government this October, we could make sure that every party leader spoke about issues affecting women and girls.

We can make that happen! Together, we’re calling for an all party nationally broadcast leaders debate on issues that affect women and girls.

Here’s who we are: www.upfordebate.ca/who-we-are

And here’s our vision: www.upfordebate.ca/our-vision

Help us make it happen! Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter.

You can check out the last time federal leaders debated women’s issues here: 1984 Debate.

Version française

UP FOR DEBATEPetition Starter

Media inquiries

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 29,975 supporters!

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The Decision Makers

Tom Mulcair,

Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada / Chef, Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada

Responded

“As leader of the Official Opposition, I fully support the idea of a leaders’ debate that focuses on women’s equality in Canada. Unfortunately, since the first and only leaders’ debate on women’s issues thirty years ago, many of the same challenges still remain obstacles to women’s equality in Canada. As former NDP leader Ed Broadbent said during the 1984 debate: “Inequality is a fact of life for Canadian women. We must start creating a Canadian society where our daughters and our sons have equal opportunities.” Canada is falling behind other countries in closing the gender gap, especially on wage equality and political empowerment. The 2014 Global Gender Gap report by the World Economic Forum ranks Canada 19th, behind Burundi, South Africa, Nicaragua, the Philippines and most European countries. In addition, violence against women continues to be a serious issue in Canada, especially for Indigenous women. Canada has a strong base to build on when it comes to women’s equality. We have guaranteed equality rights in our Charter, decriminalized abortion, and can be proud of our strong history of Canadian women fighting for equality rights. New Democrats have always and steadfastly stood up for women’s equality. After the last election, the NDP caucus had the highest number of women Members of Parliament of any caucus in Canadian history. Whether speaking out on issues like choice on abortion; breaking the silence on violence against women; electing the first female leader on the federal level; pushing for proactive legislation on pay and employment equity; making sure that every piece of legislation is examined for its impact on women; or supporting a national inquiry on missing and murdered Indigenous women, the NDP has stood side by side with women’s groups in supporting equality for women. New Democrats also initiated a study by the Committee on the Status of Women on gender-based analysis of Canada’s budgetary policies. The study illustrated that economic policies can lead to gender inequalities that have a major impact on women’s lives but often go unnoticed by the general public. This type of debate could help bring these issues to the fore. For all these reasons, I am looking forward to debating these issues with the other party leaders. Achieving women’s equality in Canada means that we all do better; our families are healthier, our economies grow and our quality of life increases. New Democrats will stand side by side with you and organizations working to build a more equal Canada. ”

Tom Mulcair

Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada / Chef, Nouveau Parti démocratique du Canada

Responded

Justin Trudeau,

Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada

Responded

“I am pleased to have accepted – and look forward to taking part in – “Up For Debate”, and I hope that Stephen Harper and Thomas Mulcair will confirm their participation in this important initiative as well. Ensuring that women’s interests are at the forefront of this election campaign is essential. As a father, I want to know that my daughter will have the same opportunities as my sons, receive equal pay for equal work, and be able to make decisions about her own body. I want to know that she will be just as likely to be involved in our economy and in the decision-making as her male counterparts, and that she will be afforded the same respect and rights. Women’s issues affect us all, and as such, we all have a vested interest in achieving full and substantive equality for women in all facets of society. We know that women’s full participation in the workforce is crucial to our economic growth. According to RBC Economics, the increase in female labour force participation over the past three decades has resulted in a $130 billion contribution to economic activity. We need to have substantive discussions about issues like increasing women’s participation in the economy, child care, domestic violence, health and the environment, and pay equity, among others. As a legislator and Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, I am deeply committed to advancing policies that will make Canada a more gender-equitable country. I am proud that our party has taken a strong stance in support of women’s right to choose. We want Canadians to know that when they vote Liberal they will get a representative who supports and defends women’s rights. Equally, I am proud to have announced that a Liberal government will ensure an equal number of women and men in Cabinet and in the federal government’s appointment process, and that meaningful gender-based analysis will be a key part of the decision-making process in Cabinet and across federal departments. Furthermore, a Liberal government will take meaningful steps to address violence against women, including by launching an immediate inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. I fundamentally believe that our society works best when women are at the forefront – successful in all parts of the economy and public life. But this means we have to find ways to break down the barriers that still stand in the way of women’s full participation in society, both here at home and abroad. ”

Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada/Premier ministre du Canada

Responded

Elizabeth May,

Leader, Green Party of Canada / Chef, Parti Vert du Canada

Responded

“"Debates enliven democracy; we need more of them. We need more substance and less spin in election campaigns. Women's voices are often ignored, in society and in elections. As the only woman leader of a federal political party in the House of Commons, I am looking forward to participation in the major leaders' debates. “However, even with a woman at the table, we need a focus on women's issues that the one round of English and French debates cannot adequately deliver. That is why I am an enthusiastic supporter of the call for a debate among the leaders of the major political parties on women's issues." Elizabeth May, O.C. Leader of the Green Party of Canada Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands”

Elizabeth May

Leader, Green Party of Canada / Chef, Parti Vert du Canada

Responded