D O S S I E R POLITICIANS ON THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS
ALEXIA MARSILLO alexia.marsillo@eap.on.ca
Dans le cadre de la Journée internationale de la femme, le jeudi 8 mars, la Compagnie d’édition André Paquette Inc. a rencontré des conseillères municipales de la région pour discuter de ce que signifie être une femme en politique aujourd’hui.
In light of International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8, and considering this is an election year at both municipal and pro- vincial levels, la Compagnie edi- tion André Paquette Inc. caught up with some of the region’s female municipal councillors to discuss what it means to be a woman in politics today. Krysta Simard is a municipal councillor for Clarence-Rockland and Cindy Saucier sits on the Russell Township council. Both women are serving their first mandates on their respective councils. Although both have had positive experi- ences thus far, Simard and Saucier are
À gauche : Krysta Simard termine cette année son premier mandat au conseil municipal de Clarence-Rockland. À droite : Cindy Saucier termine cette année premier mandat au conseil municipal de Russell. —photoss fournies
another perspective on certain issues,” added Saucier. Although both have described their experiences in politics as smooth, both women are no strangers to the level of effort required to fit into what some consider to be a boys’ club . “I’m younger, I’m a female, as well as a ‘newbie’ to politics. One of the challenges is being taken seriously,” said Simard. Simard specifically recounts certain in- stances where questions about her ward
job, you will work hard and deserve the same respect as your male counterparts.” Whereas Simard can sometimes feel her age to be a disadvantage, Saucier believes her age is an asset. “I am also a senior woman, so maybe life experience has something to do with my decision making
or how I respond to political decisions.” She continued, “I hear the information and I try to make informed decisions. They may be based on ethics, morals […] or what I feel is best for this community, and if that is because I am a woman, then I am comfortable with that.”
also both aware of the challenges, and the significance brought on by being a woman in politics. Of the 52 elected officials on municipal councils in Prescott- Russell, 13 are women. Only one of them Jeanne Charlebois of Hawkes- bury, is the mayor. “It would be nice if there were more women in politics,” said Simard. “If we want change that reflects how women feel, we must step up.”
were directed at the man standing next to her instead. “Women in politics, as well as in the work force in general, are juggling a lot and the respect isn’t always given about how much we actually get accom- plished in a day.” Saucier also knows what it feels like to be the newbie on the block, serving her first mandate. “Sometimes people may not take you seriously or think
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“Sometimes people may not take you seriously or think you are suitable to a position in politics,” she admitted. “I do not feel gender is an issue really. If you are serious about the job, you will work hard and deserve the same respect as your male counterparts.”
you are suitable to a position in politics,” she admitted. “I do not feel gender is an issue really. If you are serious about the
“I do feel there is a certain importance to having women in politics. We can bring
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