Elect Her! Northwest Campaign Looks to Eliminate Barriers Preventing for and Support Women Running for Office

Women looking to run for municipal office in the northwest will soon have access to new supports.

Both the District of Kitimat and Town of Smithers have acquired 10,000 dollars each in grant funding to launch a new program titled “Elect Her! Northwest BC”.

Through the program, they hope to provide resources for and eliminate the barriers which prevent women from running for office.

In its first year it will offer public outreach and events which seek to encourage a diverse range of women to run for office.

In addition, the campaign will form a support network and other resources for women who are already in office.

It will cover all areas within the Kitimat-Stikine, Bulkley-Nechako, and Northcoast Regional Districts, as well as traditional territories of the Tsimshian, Haisla, Haida, Gitxsan, Wet’suwet’en, Nisga’a, and Tahltan Nations.

A steering committee made up of women currently in elected positions Kitimat, Smithers, and the Haisla Nation will oversee the campaign.

Funding comes from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Women in Local Leadership Grant.