Elect More Women Conference

Elect More Women Conference
Saturday, May 26, 2007 at Hamilton City Hall

Elect More Women's very first all-day multi-partisan conference will provide women with the tools to run for office, manage a campaign, and influence the political arena. All women are welcome to participate in this positive and dynamic opportunity to network and learn.

WHAT: Elect More Women ConferenceWHY: Women make up 52% of the Canadian population but only make up 21% per cent of municipal councils, 21% of Provincial Parliaments, 20% of The House of Commons, and 13% of our nation's Mayors. Canada's international ranking on the Inter-Parliamentary Union, "List of Women in National Parliaments," is 48th in the world. Despite enjoying economic prosperity and political stability, Canada now has fewer women in parliament than most of Europe and many less developed countries such as Mauritania, Uganda, Rwanda, Afghanistan and Iraq.

WHEN: Saturday, May 26, 2007TIME: 9:00am to 3:30pm (Registration starts at 8:30am)

WHERE: Hamilton City Hall - 71 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario

ADMISSION: Pay What You Can

CONFERENCE EVENTS: Opening Address from our Keynote Speaker, Q&A Lunch Session with women politicians past and present, Panel Discussions (Being a Woman in The World of Politics and Women, Politics and Media Relations), and Workshops (The ABC's of Government, Making The Decision to Run, Outreach to Diverse Communities, Work and Life Balance, Public Speaking, and Campaign Organizing).

RSVP DATE: Monday, May 14, 2007 if you require childcare at the event.

PRE-REG FORM: http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/CityandGovernment/HotTopics/ElectMoreWomen.htm

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Donna Dasko is one of Canada's best-known pollsters and analysts of public opinion. She is a frequent commentator in the media on politics and current events. She is Senior Vice President of Environics Research Group Ltd. Donna is a co-founder of Equal Voice. The founding meeting of Equal Voice was held in Donna's house in Toronto in May 2001, when about 50 women met to create the group. Donna is now the chair of the Founder's Chapter of Equal Voice and active in public speaking, fund-raising and other Equal Voice initiatives.


PANELISTS AND FACILITATORS: Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal and Intergovernmental Affairs, Liberal MPP - Hamilton Mountain), Jessica Brennan (Hamilton School Board Trustee), Chris Charlton (NDP MP - Hamilton Mountain), Susan Clairmont (City Reporter - Hamilton Spectator), Tara Crugnale (Conservative Provincial Candidate), Elizabeth Dubec (Producer - Cable 14), Diane Elms (Hamilton Mayoral Candidate), Shiona Thompson (On-Air Radio Personality and Producer - CHML) Andrea Horwath (NDP MPP - Hamilton East), Anne Jones (Former Regional Chair), Sandra Lemus (Diverse Communities Outreach Program Coordinator - SACHA), Joan Lougheed (Former Burlington City Councilor), Judy Marsales (Liberal MPP - Hamilton West), Jennifer Mossop (Liberal MPP - Hamilton East), Jo Pavlov (Green Provincial and Federal Candidate), Beth Phinney (Former Liberal MP - Hamilton Mountain), Cathy Wellwood (Good Shepherd Centre) Deirdre Pike (Chair - Hamilton's LGBTQ Community Wellness Centre), Ann Sloat (Former Mayor of Ancaster), Madina Wasuge (Executive Director - HCCI)Susan Clairmont (Hamilton Spectator) Laura Babcock (Power Group Communications) and Renée Wetselaar (Executive Director - WAHC).

CONFERENCE SPONSORS: Canadian Labour Congress, City of Hamilton Status of Women Committee, Hamilton-Wentworth Elementary Teachers Union, OSSTF and YWCA Hamilton.

ELECT MORE WOMEN: Elect More Women (EMW) believes that more women must be elected to every level of government in Canada. EMW, established in Spring 2006, is a Hamilton based task force. EMW's mission is to politically empower and educate women. EMW is committed to diversity and welcomes women from all political affiliations. - 30 -


Contacts: Denise Doyle & Kelly Hayes - Co-Chairs, Elect More Women Conference CommitteeE-Mail: electmorewomen@yahoo.caPhone: (905) 928-4686