Some Progressive Conservatives shopping for a leader say they want someone with no “skeletons in the closet.”“With everything that’s happening right now with the sexual misconduct (allegations) and all that kind of stuff, it’s really about having someone that does not have to worry about that,” Debbie Salmons said at a recent campaign event for Caroline Mulroney, who’s making a bid to lead Ontario’s official opposition and compete for the premier’s seat in the June election. Being a woman doesn’t automatically diminish someone’s potential to engage in harassment, but Salmons is among those who think it’s time for one to take the helm in part because Brown initially stepped down in a #MeToo moment over allegations of sexual misconduct that he denies. The movement — which encourages women to speak out about harassment and show solidarity with each other — has sparked calls to get more women in politics, something that may already be happening south of the border. But advocates are skeptical that alone will lead to meaningful change. Read more:Editorial | Getting more women into politics must be a priority for all partiesToronto’s female elected officials face sexual harassment, threats on jobCan the women who took to the streets march into office?In a dramatic turn of events Friday, Brown, the MPP for Simcoe North, was booted from the PC caucus and then entered the leadership race he himself triggered, with hours to go before the deadline to sign up. If the party approves his candidacy, Brown will face off against Mulroney, ex-MPP Christine Elliott, anti-sex-ed champion Tanya Granic Allen and former Toronto councillor Doug Ford — a self-branded political outsider.That three of the candidates are women mirrors a trend south of the border, where an unprecedented number of women are seeking to run for office, including Rachel Crooks, who had accused President Donald Trump ...
|
