Tories only party to skip women's voting forum in Winnipeg, organizers say
More than 100 people turned out to the University of Winnipeg Thursday night to discuss issues important to women heading into the federal election.
"We have picked four issues tonight. Missing and murdered women, women in leadership roles, the refugee and immigration policy in Canada, and we're also talking about the gender wage gap," said Lore Mirwalt, who chaired the event. "We feel those are four main issues that are not being addressed by the leaders. Each of the federal leaders was invited this evening. We didn't get a response from any of them."
Candidates from across Manitoba from every party were invited, and representatives from the NDP, Liberal and Green parties attended, Mirwalt said.
"We have a pretty good turnout. We do not have anybody from the Conservative party. They did not respond to us at all," said Mirwalt.
Mirwalt said it's important the community tells federal election candidates how they feel about issues that affect women and urges them to respond.
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"We are hoping that this will focus people in on what the issues are and that they can hear the platforms of the parties and decide knowing what the issues are in an informed way," she said. "We're hoping that the candidates will hear us, and if they are elected to Ottawa, to bring those perspectives forward."
Canadians head to the polls on Oct. 19.
