Cracking the glass ceiling
Cambridge Bay mayor joins panel to encourage women to become political leaders
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Monday, June 13, 2016
WINNIPEG
As a third-term mayor and the president of the Nunavut Association of Municipalities, Cambridge Bay Mayor Jeannie Ehaloak is an example of a successful woman in politics but has faced her share of barriers.
Cambridge Bay Mayor Jeannie Ehaloak joined a panel of women at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' annual conference in Winnipeg June 3 for a workshop called "Because it's 2016: Overcoming Barriers for Women in Municipal Government." From left, are Mississauga councillor Chris Fonseca, political affairs strategist Kathleen Monk, Montreal borough councillor Marie-Ève Brunet, Ehaloak, Status of Women Canada Minister Patty Hajdu, Warman (Sask.) Mayor Sheryl Spence and Sioux Lookout (Ont.) councillor Yolaine Kirlew. - photo courtesy of Jeannie Ehaloak |
Ehaloak joined six other accomplished women as a panelist for a discussion called "Because it's 2016: Overcoming Barriers for Women in Municipal Government" at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' annual conference in Winnipeg this month.
Nunavut News/North: What did you learn at the conference this year that you'll be able to use in Cambridge Bay?
Jeannie Ehaloak: A lot of it was finding out what the FCM has been doing for lobbying the federal government. One of the things (the leaders from the North) lobby for is broadband connectivity, the 2016 budget and Northern infrastructure, and solid waste management issues. We also talked about green infrastructure, climate change adaptation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Water and wastewater, affordable housing, homelessness, child care.
NNN: Are people outside of the North hearing what you have to say and is it making a difference?
Ehaloak: Yes. Definitely, for sure. There was a resolution put on the floor during the board meeting that FCM support the Government of Canada's commitment to the COP21 Paris climate change. I was asked to speak on how we as Northerners see climate change affecting the North. We can see our springs are a lot faster, our ice is melting quicker, there have been times hunters go out on the land and fishing on the lakes, the ice is so thin that we've lost people falling through the ice. The storms are more fierce, our buildings are shifting because the permafrost is melting. We have so many buildings in the communities that are aging and there's not enough federal money to replace them, and repairing them is fine but because they're aging, we need new infrastructure.
NNN: As stated in the brief for the workshop, only 26 per cent of municipal elected officials in Canada are women, yet the population is more than half female. What was discussed about why there is a small percentage of women in politics?
Ehaloak: When I was talking at the forum, I'm happy to say that my council is 50 per cent female and 50 per cent male. I was asked, 'Why do you think more women are coming into politics?' During my campaign, a lot of women talked about social issues and issues that affect our community residents, and I think more and more women have a passion for their communities, and are realizing, 'Hey, maybe I can make a difference, too.'
NNN: Do you think women need to be elected to have political influence?
Ehaloak: No. We speak out. I think that if you have a strong will and want to see something happen in your community, if you speak out more, things will happen. Not only women, men too.
NNN: What can be done to get more women involved?
Ehaloak: Let women know they have rights the same as men. No matter where you go, people are going to criticize you for being a woman in a position such as mayor. There are times when men look at me and just from looking at me, they're trying to intimidate you. I just walk away. I was elected in this position because the people feel I can do the job. I always think, if you can do the job, why can't I? I can do the job just as well as you.
NNN: Just this week, Hillary Clinton became the first woman nominated by a major party to be the candidate for the United States presidency. Is it a game changer?
Ehaloak: It's a game changer for women. I'm hoping to see a lot more women come out and run for political positions. We discussed that we would like to see more women in politics, being part of decision making in our communities, being a part of change and helping the youth get involved. I ran for mayor for our youth. They're going to be in our positions one day, and I hope the changes I'm making will help them in the future.
