Tories, Liberals trade barbs over lack of women on slate in Nova Scotia election
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia’s Tories and governing Liberals traded barbs Tuesday over their treatment of female candidates, leaving the third party NDP an opening to point out it alone has almost achieved gender balance in its slate.
“I’m pleased they’ve realized this is a major matter … and I’m glad it is something they’ve decided to attend to,” NDP Leader Gary Burrill said in an interview, after pointing out 24 of his party’s 51 candidates are women.
Accusations over the lack of women candidates erupted on Day 1 of the campaign, as Premier Stephen McNeil responded to questions about why only 12 of the party’s 51 candidates for the May 30 election are women.
He said his government has a track record for appointing women to positions of power, and he accused the other parties of choosing female candidates to contest ridings they’re unlikely to win.