Since our inception in 2020, Women + in Politics Fredericton were preparing women to run in the New Brunswick Municipal Election. There were 15 candidates who filed nomination papers. There were two women candidates running for mayor, eleven candidates running in eight out of the twelve wards, a candidate running for re-election to the Regional Health Authority and one for the District Education Council.
We are so pleased with the outcome. On May 10, 2021, seventy years after the women of Fredericton achieved the right to vote:
Fredericton elected our first female mayor!
Our candidates were elected in 4 of the 8 wards they ran in.
In the council and mayoral races the proportion of women candidates was approximately 38% , yet women took approximately 55% of the total votes.
The candidate for the Regional Health Authority won her seat.
In total of the eleven positions we ran for, women won in 6!
Congratulations to all our candidates. You ran excellent campaigns! We celebrate with those who were elected: Mayor Kate Rogers, Councillor Margo Sheppard (Ward 1), Councillor Jocelyn Pike (Ward 4), Councillor Ruth Breen (Ward 8) and Councillor Cassandra Blackmore (Ward 10).
In the weeks and months ahead, Women + in Politics Fredericton will be evaluating our effort, reworking our mandate and planning for our future as an organization. We will be meeting with our sister organizations, Femmocracy NOW! (Moncton), See Jane Run (Saint John) and Women for 50% (New Brunswick) to discuss how we will work together toward our common goal of gender parity. If you wish to provide feedback on our work in the Spring 2021 Municipal Campaign or guidance for our future, please email: info@womeninpoli.ca
If you are considering running in an upcoming election at the municipal, provincial, or federal level or wanting to sit on related committees and boards, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will help you with your discernment, connect you with resources and support you in your bid to serve the public.