Almost half of those elected are women. I ask all party leaders to reach a consensus on the appointment of a woman to the highest office in our parliamentary democracy, the presidency of the National Assembly of Quebec. There is no possible excuse. None.
Posted at 10:00 a.m.
1er July 2022 marked 155e anniversary of the National Assembly. Since the establishment of this institution in 1867, elected officials have confirmed the appointment of 44 men to its presidency. In March 2002, Louise Harel became, and remains to this day, the only woman to have acceded to this prestigious position, the only one to have shattered this other glass ceiling, this set of invisible discriminatory obstacles which, visibly, double-locked behind her.
For the 155e anniversary of this institution, I ask Mr. Legault and the other party leaders to come together to correct the story. I ask them to entrust the management of the deliberations and the arbitration of the debates to an elected representative. Thus, they will confirm that, in their eyes, a woman is capable of directing and administering the National Assembly and of representing our institution on the international scene.
No democracy without women
If I ask party leaders to promote the appointment of a woman to this position, it is to confirm that there are no limits to their full participation in the affairs of the city. This is to tell our daughters, our leaders of tomorrow, that their political commitment is essential, expected and unlimited.
This is so that everyone knows that their contribution is essential to enable us to overcome the major challenges facing our society. There is no democracy without them.
Since it must be remembered, beyond the generally recognized skills, only two conditions are required to be President of the National Assembly: neutrality in the exercise of the function and legitimacy which is automatically confirmed by law. to sit. It’s not an arm job!
It is true that the President of the National Assembly is elected by secret ballot. But if all the parties agree to nominate or support the candidacy of a woman, our 125 representatives will only have to choose the most competent of them. It’s not a guy’s job!
Systemic discrimination
The Council for the Status of Women says that the culture of parties and institutions is fraught with obstacles that hinder the involvement of women in politics. Even if I think so, in order not to arouse susceptibilities, I would not venture to say that the under-representation of women in the presidency of the National Assembly stems from systemic discrimination guided by the culture of supra -male. I’ll just say…it doesn’t make sense!
If asked, I will not say that it is because our parliamentary democracy is undergoing profound change and the time is right to invite all parties to facilitate the fair representation of women at the highest and oldest function of our representative democracy. I will answer that it is just because I find that it does not have a damn common sense.
I am hopeful that Mr. Legault, Mr.me Anglade, Mr. Nadeau-Dubois and Mr. St-Pierre Plamondon will make it clear to Quebecers that they intend to make this simple but very significant gesture. There is no shortage of quality candidates to articulate this change in culture. They have no excuses.
Now that the discrimination in this position is visibly blatant, you will agree that it is also outrageously indecent that we have never taken the time to look up.
Yes I know. I too sometimes apologize for finding it more comfortable to pretend not to see the ceiling of the blockhouse on the pretext that it is made of tempered glass.