NDP Leader Rachel Notley said at least half of the cabinet ministers in an NDP government will be women..“Women must be at the table in equal numbers whenever decisions are made about the future of our province,” Notley said..“I am proud that our NDP government always maintained gender parity in cabinet, the first in Alberta to do so. I am committed to upholding that important principle in the future.”.Following the 2019 election, the UCP named a cabinet of 16 men and seven women. The current roster of UCP ministers, associate ministers, and parliamentary secretaries is made of 25 men and seven women..“It’s clear that women have a limited role in the UCP,” NDP Critic for 2SLGBTQ+ Issues and Status of Women Janis Irwin said..“That’s reflected in the UCP’s refusal to address the impact of inflation on families, their ongoing sabotage of Alberta’s public healthcare and education systems, and their online harassment of numerous Albertans, particularly women, who criticized their policies.”.Alberta’s NDP passed a resolution at the party convention in 2021 requiring the party to run an equity-seeking candidate in a riding whenever an NDP MLA retires..The NDP said this policy opens doors for women to be nominated and run in winnable ridings. The party also includes a women’s caucus which has fundraised to provide a $1,000 grant to every woman running for the party in the last three elections..“I’m very proud of the proactive steps we are taking to bring more women into public office,” Irwin said..“We find the barriers and we tear them down. Alberta women can count on having an equal voice in a Rachel Notley NDP government.”
