Minister Howell Provides Financial Support for Inclusion and Diversity Work in Municipal Government

  • Municipal and Provincial Affairs
  • Office of Women and Gender Equality

October 21, 2022

The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, today announced $10,000 to help fund the Make Your Mark campaign, a collaborative public education, advocacy, and awareness initiative with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and Equal Voice NL. This funding will support ongoing diversity and inclusion work in the province’s municipal sector.

The project will feature a digital storytelling series called The Value We Bring, and builds upon Make Your Mark, which was launched in advance of the 2021 municipal elections to encourage more diversity on municipal councils. The campaign was a success, with the number of women elected in the 2021 municipal elections increasing by 10 per cent compared to 2017.

The funding announced today will support the production of a new series of videos featuring women and gender diverse individuals who have experienced systemic barriers along their leadership journey. The goal is to highlight these experiences and create pathways for change to support women and gender diverse individuals as they seek leadership roles in the municipal sector.

The Value We Bring project will launch at Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador’s Leadership Summit for Women and Gender Diverse Individuals in the Municipal Sector, scheduled for November 2 in Gander.

Quotes
“The municipal sector is seeing an increase in diversity on various levels, and this is very encouraging. Still, there is more work to be done. I am pleased to support The Value We Bring project to continue this growth in diversity and inclusion. Targeted, focused actions are needed to ensure women, people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and people of colour can take a seat at the table in an inclusive, welcoming environment.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs

“There is no doubt that increased diversity at all levels of politics can lead to better decision making and better outcomes for our province. The Value We Bring project, along with additional initiatives such as the Make Your Mark Campaign and the Future of the Vote event, are helping to showcase representation and give new opportunities to women, gender-diverse people and people with intersecting identities. It is initiatives like these that will help create a more inclusive province for all people.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister Responsible for Women and Gender Equality

“The municipal sector in Newfoundland and Labrador is on the precipice of something extraordinary.  We want to support the great people leading and working in our municipalities in ways that provide equitable opportunities and experiences, and we want to send a clear message that municipal leadership can be a place for everyone. We want you at the table. We are ensuring that we have all the best tools to make that happen. The Make Your Mark Campaign and The Value we Bring project are part of those tools. We are so pleased to partner once again with the Department of Municipal and Provincial Affairs on this work, to be supported by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and to be working with Equal Voice NL.”
Amy Coady
President, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador

“One year ago, we were thrilled to see a 10 per cent increase in women elected to municipal councils across Newfoundland and Labrador. It is important to keep building on that momentum, to take a wider lens on gender diversity, and to combat the compounding oppressions faced by those who identify with other intersecting demographics. Programs like The Value We Bring, Future of the Vote and our upcoming Campaign College do just that! Although the next set of elections is still another two or three years away, it is imperative that we do the work to plant seeds now, so when the next set of elections are announced, more individuals are ready to step up and put their name on the ballot.”
Courtney Clarke
Co-Chair Equal Voice NL

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Media contacts
Jacquelyn Howard
Municipal and Provincial Affairs
709-729-5539, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca

Angela Picco
Office of Women and Gender Equality
709-729-4934, 687-4753
angelapicco@gov.nl.ca

Tobias Romaniuk
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
709-725-1440
tromaniuk@municipalnl.ca

Courtney Clarke
Equal Voice NL
709-765-7091
nl@equalvoice.ca

2022 10 21 12:45 pm