Campaign School Prepares Women to Run for Office

Women interested in running for elected office can participate in a non-partisan campaign school for women at no cost.

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women will hold the school, Oct. 24 to 26 at Mount Saint Vincent University. Special guests will include Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians who will participate for the first time.

"This government recognizes that more women need to participate as public leaders," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. "The municipal and federal elections and the high profile of women in politics around the world could inspire women to step up and attend this campaign school, run for office, and create a more inclusive democracy in Nova Scotia."

The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women has been partnering with the university on the campaign school since 2004. The school provides skills and knowledge for running a successful political campaign, including media relations, public speaking, fund-raising and budgeting, and planning and team building. Politicians, party officials and members, communications trainers, and pundits share their experiences and expertise.

Women hold a record 10 of 52 seats (19.2 per cent) in the provincial legislature. Despite increases over the years, Nova Scotia still has fewer women elected as representatives than many other jurisdictions in Canada.

"When democracy began in this province 250 years ago, most people were excluded from participating," said council chair Liz Chisholm. "By holding the campaign school for women, we can see how far we've come. We can see graduates running in elections now underway. Yet with more than 50 per cent of our population being women, we have a way to go on the road to representation."

First-come-first-served enrolment is limited to 30. The application deadline is Oct. 15. School organizers encourage women from all backgrounds and regions of the province to participate.

Brochures and application forms are available on the website at www.women.gov.ns.ca or by calling 1-800-565-8662.