Alberta Counsel Newsletter Issue 21 Pages1-2
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THE ISSUE Alberta’s Premier Review of 21 NEWS Politics and Government Vitality NOVEMBER/2016 from WOMEN IN AN OIL ECONOMY In a study done by the Globe and Mail in 2014, only 7.8 per cent of board members at publicly traded oil and gas A FEMINIST FLOOR CROSSING companies were female, while most boards in other sectors averaged 20 – 25 per cent female members. With their IN ALBERTA dominance in the province’s top industry, it’s perhaps not surprising that men have also dominated politics in Alberta. As an oil province, there has been a gendered approach to job By Samantha Power creation. Getting oil out of the ground has meant an economic In her first day as an NDP MLA in the Legislature, Sandra Jansen read out some of the online harassment directed focus on construction and engineering, traditionally male jobs. In her Senior Editor: Alexandra Zabjek toward her in the fallout of her leadership bid and subsequent move to the NDP. Publisher: Alberta Counsel research, University of Alberta professor Sara Dorow, explores how oil Bitch. Blonde bimbo. Dumb broad. They are words not heard in the Legislature before -- but familiar to the women now economies create a situation where women become the primary ALBERTA COUNSEL occupying its seats. family caregivers, in order to suit the demands of a boom-and-bust Legal and Lobby Professionals economy. Management Consultants The content of the slander is more than the angry rhetoric of disagreement, and instead brings forward language of It contributes to one of the highest wage differentials for women in Trade-mark Agents violence, hatred and a recurring sense that the harassers do not believe women belong in politics. the country in Alberta. “When people are upset they can use sharp language. But it’s very clear that there is sexualized violence and there are EMPIRE BUILDING "In 2016, the difference between total market incomes for women # security threats,” says professor Melanee Thomas at the University of Calgary. “The stuff she has disclosed and the 301-10080 Jasper Ave. NW compared to men in Alberta is projected to be 50 per cent,” stated a Edmonton AB T5J 1V9 reaction to her physical security indicates that she’s got some real gross credible threats.” report by Kathleen Lahey called “The Alberta Disadvantage.” P: 780-652-1311 And while floor crossing is a political move that really stokes the F: 780-652-1312 fires of political vitriol, few who have done it have required a Lahey states the wage differential is due to a few factors: a concentration of high wages in the male-dominated oil E: [email protected] security detail. When people are upset sector; tax changes that have overwhelmingly benefited men; as well as a reduction in social services. Lahey shows that www.AlbertaCounsel.com women’s economic opportunities are more dependent on education, childcare and healthcare, which are services that It is not the first time that Alberta’s MLAs have stood in the “ they can use sharp become the immediate focus of cuts when resource revenues drop. Legislature and talked about the harassment they have faced. The News from Alberta Counsel language. But it’s very Last December, Energy Minister Marg McQuaig-Boyd faced online The adoption of fiscal restraint in the 1990s meant a removal of funding from social programs that would have is Alberta’s premier review of threats after Bill 6. In April, a man was charged with uttering clear that there is benefitted women. Lois Harder, author of “State of Struggle: Feminism and Politics in Alberta” points out "in the context provincial politics and government death threats against Environment Minister Shannon Phillips. And sexualized violence of an economic boom, the political costs of alienating groups perceived as marginal were minimal” – with women being vitality. As an original source of concerns over Premier Rachel Notley’s safety were roused when and there are security a marginal group. political news and commentary, online threats took the form of an image of Notley’s face through The News will provide a fresh a rifle scope. threats. CREATING CHANGE Prof. Melanee Thomas look at legislation, policy, These are only a few examples of the varied threats that also ” This has changed under the NDP. committee debates, the civil target women’s capability to govern. (“Sandra should stay in the kitchen where she belongs,” was another comment service, along with party updates read out in the Legislature.) In the same week that Jansen joined crossed the governing party, the government announced new grants to improve the status of women, and the implementation of the first step toward $25/day daycare. and events. Historically, women have not held leadership positions in Alberta at the rate they do now. Nor has Alberta’s political culture welcomed debate on issues of equality, and economic systems that would benefit women. “Making it possible for women with small kids to get back into the labour force is policy that literally pays for itself, and more, in terms of consumption and income tax and money put back into the economy,” says Thomas from the U of C. Reakash Walters is an organizer of Bread and Roses, a progressive organizing school focused on getting women and The Alberta Counsel people of colour in politics. She says the growth of outright misogynist and violent comments remind her of CNN Earlier in its term, the NDP created a Status of Women ministry, announced increases to the minimum wage, which will We work with organizations to commenter Van Jones calling the rise of racism, and the triumph of Trump, a “whitelash” against changing racial primarily benefit women, and increased funding to programs to prevent violence against women and care programs. navigate their way through the dynamics in the United States. These are moves that could address some troubling statistics: the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has done two confusing network that is “It reminds me of what we’re going through in Alberta when it comes to women’s rights,” said Walters. “This government studies ranking Edmonton and Calgary as among the worst cities for women in Canada, with the cities placing 22nd and associated with government. We has been unapologetic in putting women in positions of power. It’s a bit of a backlash from folks who are far more 23rd out of 25. The factors studied included the gap in employment rates between men and women, the gap in trades help our clients connect with comfortable with patriarchal structures than they are with seeing women in positions of power.” training for women, the low numbers of women in leadership positions and rates of sexual violence. those who are important in Alberta’s Legislature has a historic first of near-gender parity. That’s historic not just for Alberta, but for Canada. And for The NDP policy moves may not only influence the economy in a way that will benefit women, but may also address some shaping public policy and ensure the most part, those women belong to one party. It can be seen as a signal that if you want to make progress on of the broader issues of well-being for women captured in the survey. your messaging is effectively women’s and social issues, the NDP is the party that will do it. communicated to decision Thomas notes that Jansen has always been clear that she’s a Red Tory who wants to make space for social issues. But makers. the Conservative party has historically given little attention to issues that that would increase women’s equality or provide them with equal economic opportunities in a province dominated by the energy industry. THE Alberta’s Premier Review of NEWS Politics and Government Vitality from WOMEN IN AN OIL ECONOMY In a study done by the Globe and Mail in 2014, only 7.8 per cent of board members at publicly traded oil and gas A FEMINIST FLOOR CROSSING companies were female, while most boards in other sectors averaged 20 – 25 per cent female members. With their IN ALBERTA dominance in the province’s top industry, it’s perhaps not surprising that men have also dominated politics in Alberta. As an oil province, there has been a gendered approach to job By Samantha Power creation. Getting oil out of the ground has meant an economic In 2016, the difference In her first day as an NDP MLA in the Legislature, Sandra Jansen read out some of the online harassment directed focus on construction and engineering, traditionally male jobs. In her toward her in the fallout of her leadership bid and subsequent move to the NDP. “between total market research, University of Alberta professor Sara Dorow, explores how oil Bitch. Blonde bimbo. Dumb broad. They are words not heard in the Legislature before -- but familiar to the women now economies create a situation where women become the primary incomes for women occupying its seats. family caregivers, in order to suit the demands of a boom-and-bust compared to men in economy. The content of the slander is more than the angry rhetoric of disagreement, and instead brings forward language of Alberta is projected to violence, hatred and a recurring sense that the harassers do not believe women belong in politics. It contributes to one of the highest wage differentials for women in SAMANTHA the country in Alberta. be 50 per cent. “When people are upset they can use sharp language. But it’s very clear that there is sexualized violence and there are POWER Kathleen Lahey in “The Alberta Disadvantage.” security threats,” says professor Melanee Thomas at the University of Calgary.