Rising Harassment Drives Female Politicians from Canadian Public Office, New Data Shows Gender Gap Persists

OTTAWA - A concerning trend of harassment and threats is driving women out of Canadian politics, with recent data showing persistent gender gaps in political representation across all levels of government.

Liberal MP Pam Damoff, preparing to leave politics ahead of the next federal election, cites escalating harassment and death threats as key factors in her departure. 'We've seen a shift in how people treat politicians, and I really worry that at some point, someone will be injured or killed,' Damoff stated [1].

Current statistics paint a stark picture of gender disparity in Canadian politics:

• Federal level: Less than one-third of elected officials are women
• Municipal level: Only one in five mayors are women
• Provincial level: 38% average female representation, ranging from over 50% in British Columbia to below 25% in Newfoundland and Labrador [1]

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in the intensity of harassment. Former Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, who left politics in 2021, required a security detail after facing both online and real-world threats, sometimes while with her children [1].

A 2022 study commissioned following a wave of female politician departures revealed that many women felt their skills were underutilized in office. The report, authored by historian Alexandre Dumas, gathered insights from 21 former politicians [1].

The upcoming Liberal leadership race on March 9, 2025, could mark a historic moment with two female candidates, Karina Gould and Chrystia Freeland, among the four contenders. If elected, either would become Canada's second female prime minister [1].