N.S. Liberals steeped in sexism

Women have far fewer opportunities than men to succeed in politics, and a large part of that is because they are held to a much higher standard than their male counterparts. This is especially true in the Nova Scotia Liberal Party.

Sexism has plagued the Liberals throughout their history. Recent events suggest they have no idea what to do about it, and minimal interest in addressing it at all. Their latest misogynistically-fuelled blunder — the cleaving of Robyn Ingraham — is the latest example of a party desperately in need of transformation, and badly out of touch with the modern world.

Of the women who have passed the litmus test and been permitted to run by the party brass, few have found their way into Province House. In 154 years, only 15 women have been elected under the Liberal banner — 15 women in 154 years. That’s an average of just one per decade.

The Liberals have never had a female leader. Not only are they the only party in Nova Scotia with this distinction, they are also the only party in the Maritimes to have not achieved this most basic of accomplishments.

The Nova Scotia New Democrats have had three, and they’ve only been around since 1963. Even the PCS have had two women serve as leader of their party. Contrary to their claims, these statistics suggest the Liberals are actually the most regressive party in the province in terms of gender equity.

Apologists argue that the past 30 years have seen an increase in the number of women running for, and being elected to, public office in Nova Scotia. Have more women put their names forward as nominees? Yes. Have more women been elected to office? Sure. Is this enough? Not even close.

Until unequal standards have been addressed, the number of women being elected doesn’t amount to anything.

Robyn Ingraham was an ideal candidate for the Liberals: a small-business owner connected to her community, and someone who excites young voters. She’s of a generation that sees and interacts with the world differently and understands the importance of owning who you are.

During the nomination process, Ms. Ingraham owned who she was. She proudly disclosed that she had modelled for boudoir photos and that these photos had been posted on Instagram, Tumblr and Onlyfans. She passed the “screening,” and stood as a nominee.

A mere six hours after being acclaimed as the Liberal candidate in Dartmouth South, Ms. Ingraham received a phone call from the Liberals telling her there was an issue: the photos had surfaced and the party was nervous. By the next morning, she’d been abandoned by the party and told to blame her withdrawal on mental illness. As written in her July 21 statement: “The older, whiter and straighter your government is, the less support you receive …”.

Current leader Iain Rankin was convicted of impaired driving in 2003, with more charges only two years later. Rankin was supported by the Liberals during his 2013 run, and was eventually elected leader of the party, now sitting on the cusp of a majority government.

Former Liberal communications director Kyley Harris was rehired after resigning amid domestic violence allegations. Stephen Mcneil went so far as to defend Harris, saying that he deserved a second chance.

Where was this support when former cabinet minister Margaret Miller threatened to resign over “misogynistic” and “atrocious” behaviour by a new male staffer? On the side of the accused, of course. If even a former cabinet minister is left unsupported, what faith can any woman have that the Liberals would have their back when they needed it most?

What can we deduce from these actions other than that the Nova Scotia Liberals put men above women every single time? DUIS, domestic violence and misogynistic behaviour are just an obstacle to overcome for the province’s old boys’ club. A woman embracing her sexuality and proudly showing her body, however, appears to be too much for them to handle.