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
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.