Jane Arscott – författare

Following significant increases in women's electoral representation in the 1980s and '90s, progress has stalled. Despite some high-profile successes at the provincial level, there are now only a few more women in Canada's parliament and legislatures than a decade ago. What has happened to the representational gains for women and why does gender parity remain so elusive?To answer these questions, Stalled provides a provides a detailed roadmap of women's political representation as candidates, office-holders, cabinet ministers, party leaders, and as representatives of the Crown at all levels of government across Canada. Prospects for gender parity in political office are assessed in each jurisdiction and institution. Explanations are re-examined and analyzed using data from across the country.The representation of women in elected and appointed offices is an important indicator of both gender equality and the overall health of democratic governance. By this measure Canada continues to fall short.

Still Counting explains why scholars and activists continue to count the number of women elected to Canada's legislatures, and demonstrates that, by any measure, women are only halfway to equal. The authors assert that an "electoral glass ceiling" is keeping women at or below the 25 per cent mark, restricting women to less than half of the seats that would be theirs in a democracy committed to balanced, equitable, and fair representation. Moreover, little is being done to address this democratic deficit. Despite drawbacks, such as the "revolving door" for female party leaders and continued sexism in legislatures, the authors also show how women can, and do, make a difference in politics.