It's not getting any less lonely for women on city council.
The Oct. 18 vote left just one woman on a council of seven. The last time there was more than one woman on council was from 1998 to 2001.
As part of a broader effort by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to encourage more women to seek political office, the City of St. Albert assembled a panel of former female councillors in June to offer advice and information to potential female candidates. The current council makeup is a sign that there's more work required to reset the balance, suggested Mayor Nolan Crouse.
"At the end of it, it looks like [the panel] probably had marginal impact in St. Albert," Crouse said. "It's one of those issues where you've got to keep reinforcing it."
Women often have a smaller circle of contacts than men and are more focused on raising families, both of which are barriers to political success, said former councillor Lynda Moffat.
"There are women of course who will find a way to make it work," Moffat said.
Another barrier is the side of politics that subjects public servants to nasty phone calls, emails or letters to the editor.
"Putting yourself out there like that is something that not a lot of women choose to do," Moffat said.
Lone woman
Introducing gender to politics can in itself bring pointed criticism, as Cathy Heron learned after mentioning at a public forum that St. Albert needs a woman on council. She got "a lot of criticism" in the room and online, she said.
"It was from women who didn't understand why I would have to point that out," Heron said. "I just wanted to say that women have a different perspective."
Her view is that it's harder to be taken seriously as a female candidate.
"Out there meeting people on the campaign I ran into a lot of sexist attitudes," she said. "Do this, do that, men like that, wear a low-cut shirt, wear your hair down — it was ridiculous."
On doorsteps and at functions, people would often speak to her husband even though she was the candidate, Heron said.
Heron is aware that some in the community are likely questioning whether she earned votes for her ideas or her gender.
"I hope that over the next three years people will see me as just one of seven and not the woman on council," she said.
With three children in elementary school, Heron said she faces the same issues as any woman balancing a demanding career with home life.
Crouse said Heron is a rarity because she's getting involved during her family-raising stage.
"She's going to be watched in many ways, in many circles," he said. "She will become a role model for others."
Women represent only 13.9 per cent of mayors and 23 per cent of councillors in Canada, according to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The United Nations defines 30 per cent as the minimum percentage that's required for government to reflect women's concerns.
The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association is trying to increase participation by offering a bursary and a women-in-government committee, said president Darren Aldous.
"I believe that women's participation is on the increase in Alberta," Aldous said. "The discussion is started and I think there are more women that are now looking at it and saying, 'hey, you know what, I can do this.'"
