Advocates call for quotas, reform to boost number of women in Parliament

The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa is seen on May 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA — Canada’s international ranking on gender parity in politics has plummeted over the past 25 years, and advocates say every federal political party needs to do better.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union now ranks Canada in 71st place in terms of the percentage of women in national parliaments, a steep drop from its 28th place ranking in 2000.

Women account for less than one-third of the House of Commons and Shari Graydon of the group Informed Perspectives says it’s time for parties to commit to measures other countries have taken up, such as gender quotas or electoral reform.

While Prime Minister Mark Carney has cited the fact that nearly 40 per cent of his elected caucus is female, advocacy groups say that’s not good enough.

Julie Savard-Shaw of The Prosperity Project says access to child care and the ability to work from home are critical to the advancement of women in both the private and public sectors.

Liberal MP Chi Nguyen also says acts of harassment by members of the public and harsh rhetoric in the House of Commons are discouraging women from running for office.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press