Number of women elected in P.E.I. election drops
The P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government is disappointed in the decrease in the number of women elected to the legislature Monday.
There are now just five women sitting as MLAs, down from six from the 2011 election.
They are: Paula Biggar (Liberal), Kathleen Casey (Liberal), Darlene Compton (PC), Tina Mundy (Liberal) and Janice Sherry (Liberal).
Dawn Wilson, executive director of the P.E.I. Coalition for Women in Government, is urging Premier Wade MacLauchlan to ensure women have strong representation in a new cabinet.
"We know that there are four excellent women among the candidates for cabinet and we believe having a diversity of voices there, including women, will help advise government policies and programs," said Wilson.
"We would encourage the premier to strive for a cabinet with one third women."
Wilson says despite the decrease in the number of women elected, 24 per cent of the popular vote went to candidates who are women. She said that tracks closely to the overall percentage of women running.
Wilson said more work needs to be done to help parties increase the number of women nominated and elected.
