Calgary City Council Faces Gender Disparity in Election Race

Calgary is witnessing a notable gender imbalance in its city council election campaign, with women representing only 28 percent of candidates this year. Coinciding with October, designated as Women’s History Month in Canada, this statistic highlights ongoing challenges in female political representation within the city. The only ward where women outnumber men on the ballot is Ward 9.

The outgoing Calgary city council achieved its highest level of female representation in almost two decades. During the 2021 municipal election, four women secured council seats, and the city elected its first female mayor. Historically, the representation of women has fluctuated; in both 1998 and 2004, six women were elected to council. However, one of the women elected in 2004 resigned amid allegations of ballot stuffing, which overshadowed that election cycle.

Looking back over the past five decades, the representation of women on Calgary’s city council has shown gradual but uneven progress. Municipal elections in Calgary were held every three years until a change in 2013 transitioned the electoral cycle to four years. This shift has implications for how political dynamics play out, particularly regarding candidate diversity.

As Calgary approaches its 2025 municipal election, discussions about gender parity in politics remain pertinent. The Calgary Herald is committed to providing ongoing coverage of the city’s elections and invites public participation in shaping its reporting through surveys and community engagement.

In the broader context, this situation reflects a significant issue across many political arenas in Canada and beyond. The representation of women in political offices is crucial for ensuring diverse voices and perspectives in decision-making processes. As Calgary moves forward, the outcomes of the upcoming election will be closely watched, particularly concerning initiatives aimed at improving gender balance in local governance.