Alberta Liberals Urge Women to ‘Take Our Place’

With the launch of the Take Our Place program yesterday, the Alberta Liberals are taking the initiative in getting more women involved in provincial politics.

Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft emphasizes the importance of supporting women candidates and encouraging more women to come forward and seek political office. “Half of Alberta’s population is made up of women, yet women are a small minority in the Legislative Assembly,” says Taft. “I would like to have a woman candidate contesting for the Alberta Liberal nomination in every constituency in the province. The Alberta Liberals welcome and support women candidates and their unique skills, insights and talents.”

Although women make up half the population, they typically represent only 20 per cent of elected positions. In Alberta, only two of 19 cabinet ministers are women.

“We believe that if Alberta is to achieve its full potential, the government needs to more accurately reflect the diversity of our population,” said Take Our Place Program Chair Laurie Blakeman, speaking at the Alberta Legislature. “The time is right for a new vision that encourages more women to become more involved. The Alberta Liberals welcome the unique skills, perspective and talents of women, and we are committed to giving them the support they need to enter public life.”

The Take Our Place program brings together a mentor team of dynamic women, including current and former Alberta Liberal MLAs, to support and encourage new candidates, as well as to identify barriers to political participation and find ways to eliminate or reduce them. While the program is currently focused on creating opportunities for women in the upcoming election, it will continue in the post-election period.

“There are so many issues important to women and families in Alberta,” Blakeman notes. “Our perspective is critical if real progress is to be made. It’s time we had more women at the decision-making table.”

-30-

For more information, contact:
Kieran Leblanc
Executive Director, Alberta Liberals
(780) 918-8375