N.S. to see more diversity at the ballot box this election
Nova Scotians will elect their next provincial government in just 20 days and this year there will be more diversity at the ballot box.
"Diversity is important because we live in a democracy that's based on representation and so if we only see the same people being represented usually white, middle class men at this point, then we're really losing out on perspectives and policy," said Meredith Ralston, a professor of both women's and political studies at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax.
There are 55 electoral districts in Nova Scotia.
There are a total 230 candidates nominated this election. A complete list of nominated candidates is available on the Elections Nova Scotia website.
Here is a breakdown of registered candidates by party:
- Atlantica: 16 candidates
- Green Party: 43 candidates
- Liberal: 55 candidates
- NDP: 55 candidates
- PC Party: 55 candidates
- Independent: 6 candidates
There are a number of women vying for a seat in the provincial legislature this election.
Of the three major parties, the Liberals have 23 women running and 19 women are running under the PC banner. Meantime, the NDP will have 31 women and four people who are gender diverse on the ballot.
"I'm very optimistic that the province has moved forward in the fact that several of the parties do have a lot more women running and hopefully that will translate into seats in the legislature," said Ralston.
Between the Liberals, PC's and NDP there are three candidates who identify as Indigenous and at least 17 visible minority candidates this election.
"I'm not surprised at all to see more representation, more diversity on the ballots," said Lori Turnbull, director of the Dalhousie School of Public Administration.
"It will be interesting to see whether that translates into more diversity and representation in the house. I certainly hope it does."
Turnbull says it's important to have a lot of voices at the table.
"Political equality is a real thing," said Turnbull.
"I think the more people see legislative assemblies as not being inclusive you know we run the risk of people thinking they're not relevant and if you don't see yourself in that assembly you don't feel represented, you don't want to be involved, you think that it's not inclusive and representative and respectful of you and that's wrong."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Former Sask. massage therapist who sexually assaulted clients has day parole revoked
A former massage therapist who pleaded guilty to a string of sexual assaults has had his day parole revoked.