Today, Conservative Senator Nancy Ruth plans to revive her quest to gender-neutralize Canada’s national anthem by asking her caucus colleagues to replace the words “in all they sons command” with “in all thy daughters command” every time they sing Oh Canada from now until Easter. There’s a great story about Senator Ruth in today’s Toronto Star.
Her latest effort is a response to the government’s about-face on the proposed re-writing of the anthem, which was first floated in the March 3rd Speech from the Throne, and then cancelled a few days later after a supposed outcry from Canadians who either hated the idea or thought it was a waste of time in the face of bigger and more important issues. Whether it was truly a bad idea, or a good idea at the wrong time, or just a ploy to divert Canadians’ attention away from the government’s budget announcement, the whole debacle generated international headlines and sent a terrible message about Canada as the world prepared to recognize International Women’s Day on March 8.
Whether you agree with Senator Ruth or not, I think there’s a general consensus that last week’s anthem controversy was mishandled by the government. For me personally, it was disappointing on a few levels. But rather than feel glum that Canada appears to be lacking in progressive initiatives to advance the interests of women, I chose to spend a bit of time on International Women’s Day reflecting on the contributions of women in government. As Canadians, we can be proud of a great many progressive, talented and trailblazing women who have stepped up to serve our country in public office.
Check out this list put together by Susan Monroe that highlights notable “firsts” for Canadian women in government. It profiles women like Agnes Macphail, the first Canadian female MP elected in 1921; Cairine Wilson, Canada’s first woman Senator appointed in 1930; Ellen Fairclough, the first woman to serve as a federal cabinet minister in 1957; Bertha Wilson, the first woman justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and of course our current Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin; Jeanne Sauvé, Canada’s first female Governor General and first female Speaker of the House of Commons; and Kim Campbell, Canada’s first and only female Prime Minister whose brief tenure occurred in 1993.
In addition to those who are elected, there are thousands of women behind the scenes working in government, with political parties and advocacy organizations that encourage women to become engaged in the democratic process. I’ve had the opportunity for the past three years to work as a volunteer with a great organization, the Canadian Women Voters Congress, as an instructor at their annual Women’s Campaign School, a three-day workshop that educates women about political and organizational systems, and encourages women of all backgrounds and political persuasions to participate in the political process and assume leadership roles.
Equal Voice is another national organization working to promote the election of more women to all levels of government. Their website points out that Canada ranks 49th out of 189 countries in terms of the number of women elected to national parliament. Women make up 52 percent of Canada’s population, but only 22 percent of MPs are women. Equal Voice has initiated an online campaign school for women called Getting to the Gate and recently launched the “Be Her or Support Her” campaign to galvanize women into seeking elected office or to support other women to do so.
Even if we are not named in the national anthem, Canada’s “daughters” are stepping up. And that makes me feel a bit better after last week’s painful anthem debate.
