Resources
Practical tools for women of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life interested in running for public office.
The links below are resources from other organizations supporting women in politics – Equal Voice does not take responsibility for the content of these links. Check out Equal Voice reports here
Federal Politics
Video: How to be an Everyday Political Citizen
In this short video, follow Michelle as she learns from her friend Luke, a real-life Everyday Political Citizen and champion of accessibility, about the many ways she can make a difference on an issue she cares about.
Gender Equality within Political Parties and Women’s Cross-party Cooperation
Toolkit on how to build the capacities of women politicians and political parties
Video: A Day in the Life of a Member of Parliament (Samara Centre for Democracy)
Every federal election, millions of Canadians head to the polls to elect or “hire” our Members of Parliament –but what do we hire them to do? What are the day-to-day responsibilities and real-life challenges of the job? Follow Priya, a recently elected MP, as she goes about her day in Ottawa, and find out how she balances her roles as legislator, representative, and service provider.
Running
- List of Registered Political Parties in Canada with contact information (Elections Canada)
- How to Become a Candidate and Registration Form (Elections Canada)
- Step-by-Step Guide: Running in a Federal Election (Inspire Democracy)
Supporting
- Step-by-Step Guide: Working at a Federal Election (Inspire Democracy)
Provincial Politics
Elections Ontario
- Elections and Campaign Toolkit: Ontario (all three levels of government)
Directeur général des élections du Québec
Elections Saskatchewan
Elections Alberta
Elections BC
Elections Nova Scotia
Elections Newfoundland
Elections PEI
Elections New-Brunswick
Nunavut
Municipal Politics
Running
- A Guide for Women Candidates (Federation of Canadian Municipalities)
- Run, Win and Lead: Toward Parity in Municipal Politics (Federation of Canadian Municipalities
- Ready for Her: Guide for Women running for Municipal Office (Alberta)
- Win Toronto (Ontario)
Supporting
Intersectionality Politics
Operation Black Vote
A nonprofit and multi-partisan organization that supports the election of Black people to public office.
Proud Politics
A non-partisan organization aimed at diversifying Canada’s politics by breaking down barriers for under-represented and marginalized LGBTIQ+ communities.
Native Women’s Association of Canada
A National Indigenous Organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women, girls and gender diverse people in Canada, inclusive of First Nations on and off reserve, status and non-status, disenfranchised, Métis and Inuit.
Canadian-Muslim Vote
A national, non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization that aims to increase civic engagement of Canadian Muslims through community outreach and education.
DisAbled Women’s Network Canada
DAWN Canada’s mission is to end the poverty, isolation, discrimination and violence experienced by women with disabilities and Deaf women. DAWN is an organization that works towards the advancement and inclusion of women and girls with disabilities and Deaf women in Canada.
Council of Canadians with Disabilities
The Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD) is a social justice organization of people with all disabilities that champions the voices of people with disabilities, advocating an inclusive and accessible Canada, where people with disabilities have full realization of their human rights, as described in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Groupe femmes politique et démocratie
La mission du groupe est d’éduquer la population en général, et plus particulièrement les femmes, à l’action citoyenne et démocratique, de promouvoir une plus grande participation des femmes à la vie politique et de soutenir, auprès de tous, l’exercice plein et entier de la citoyenneté.
Assembly of First Nations
The role of the National Chief and the AFN is to advocate on behalf of First Nations as directed by Chiefs-in-Assembly. This includes facilitation and coordination of national and regional discussions and dialogue, advocacy efforts and campaigns, legal and policy analysis, communicating with governments, including facilitating relationship building between First Nations and the Crown as well as public and private sectors and general public.
Youth and Politics
Forum for Young Canadians
Forum is a bilingual, non-partisan, week-long program which occurs three times per year. During each session, young people aged 15 to 19 years from across Canada come together to:
- Deepen their understanding of the national decision-making process in Canada Share ideas and acquire tools for community engagement
- Network and discuss social issues and policy with parliamentarians and youth from across the country
Apathy is Boring
Today, we work year round to support and educate youth to become active and contributing citizens in Canada’s democracy. Our vision is a Canada where every young Canadian is an active citizen, and youth are meaningfully engaged in all aspects of the democratic process.
Youth Civic Engagement Toolkit (YMCA Canada)