Hannah’s Hot Takes - DEI Derailed?
Canada has long prided itself on being a beacon of inclusion- a country where diversity is more than just a slogan. But in the thick of an election cycle, when every message is calibrated and every candidate carefully chosen, it’s worth asking: is diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) still a political priority? A closer look at who’s running the campaigns -and who’s actually on the ballots may offer some insight.
At first glance, the federal landscape shows signs of progress. Two major party leaders – the NDP’s Jagmeet Singh and the Green Party’s Jonathan Pedneault – are people of colour, with Pedneault also openly queer. But beyond those visible figures, the broader makeup of campaign teams and candidate rosters tells a more nuanced story. Among the two parties most likely to form government, key decision-making roles remain largely in the hands of white men. While many continue to speak publicly about the importance of DEI, it’s worth examining how – and whether- those values are being prioritized in this election cycle.
When we look closely at who’s steering the campaigns and who are candidates, patterns begin to emerge. Both the Liberal and Conservative campaign teams are predominantly white and male. The NDP, by contrast, appears to be taking a more deliberate approach to representation and inclusion.
Start with the Liberals. Despite long positioning themselves as champions of equity and diversity, four of the five key campaign leadership team are white men (Andrew Bevan, Tom Pitfield, Braeden Caley and Gerry Butts).
When it comes to candidates, just 36% of the Liberals on the ballot are women – a drop of roughly 10 percent compared to 2021. It is a striking shift for a party that has made representation central to its brand: from coining the phrase “diversity is our strength” to forming Canada’s first gender-balanced Cabinet in 2015 to appointing the country’s first female Finance Minister.
On the campaign trail, Liberal leader Mark Carney acknowledged the lower numbers but reaffirmed his intention to appoint a gender-based Cabinet if elected. His most recent Cabinet before the writ was dropped included 11 women out of 23 Ministers.
The Conservative picture tells a similar story, of the five senior figures shaping that party’s campaign – including Matt Wolf, Howard Anglin, and Ben Woodfinden – all are white and three are men. That said, it is important to note that Pierre Poilievre’s top advisor is a woman – Jenni Byrne – and everyone involved in the Conservatives’ campaign ultimately answers to her. The Conservative slate of candidates features just 22% women, the party’s lowest figure since 2015 and a steep decline from the 32% they ran in 2019. When asked for a breakdown of candidates along DEI lines, the party stated it doesn’t track that information.
The NDP stands apart, with a greater presence of diversity behind the campaign – and that extends to the candidate roster. According to the party, 74% of its candidates identify as members of equity-deserving communities. That includes:
· Women: 176 (51.3%)
· 2SLGBTQIA+: 71 (20.6%)
· Living with a Disability: 43 (12.5%)
· Racialized: 112 (32.6%)
· Youth: 47 (13.7%)
· Indigenous: 20 (5.8%)
It is a detailed approach that stands in contrast to the backsliding seen in the other two major parties.
As the election campaign unfolds, the composition of teams and candidate slates reveals more than just a snapshot of a party’s priorities — it offers a window into the future of political leadership in Canada. Since 2006, the number of women elected to the House of Commons has gradually increased, from 99 being elected in 2019 (29.3% total) to 103 in 2021(30.5% total). But early signs this cycle suggest that progress may be plateauing, particularly among the two frontrunner parties.
The roughly 10-point drop in women candidates from both the Liberals and Conservatives – paired with increasingly homogeneous campaign leadership – raises real questions. For the Liberals in particular, a party that once made representation a cornerstone of its identity, the shift suggests DEI may be taking a backseat in favour of safer bets and familiar faces?
Meanwhile, the NDP is showing what intentional representation can look like – not just in rhetoric but in practice. With comprehensive data, deliberate investment, and a candidate slate that more closely reflects the communities it seeks to serve. The evidence suggests the party is treating DEI, not as an afterthought but as a core strategy.
Beyond candidate numbers, early polling suggests DEI may also be a factor in voter alignment. According to the latest MQO Research data, Pierre Poilievre’s support is significantly higher among men (37%) than women (29%), with some attributing the gap to recent comments made about biological clocks and family planning. In contrast Mark Carney is polling stronger with women (51%) than men (45%) men, suggesting a different kind of gender dynamic at play.
In a political climate shaped by culture wars, polarization and performative outrage, who parties choose to elevate —both on the ballot and behind the curtain — sends a powerful signal. If DEI still matters, it has to be visible. This election may reveal whether Canada is still moving forward — quietly slipping back.