P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government says there's more work ahead
When new ridings are taken into account, percentage of women only increased by 1 per cent
There was a slight increase in the number of women elected in this federal election — but the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government says more still needs to be done.
"Eighty-eight women were elected, which is up from 76 in 2011," said coalition executive director Dawn Wilson.
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"However, given the … 30 additional ridings, the percentage of women only increased by one per cent. So we're up to 26 per cent of women MPs from 25 per cent in 2011."
Wilson said the coalition is pleased prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau has committed to gender parity for his cabinet.
But she also noted that Conservative Gail Shea, the third woman in P.E.I.'s history to serve as an MP, lost her seat.
According to Equal Voice Canada, women account for 27 per cent of the new Liberal caucus, 41 per cent of the NDP MPs, 17 per cent of the Conservative caucus and 20 per cent of the Bloc Québécois MPs. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May was the only Green candidate elected.