Throughout this week's federal and provincial cabinet shuffles, and with our own town ramping up toward a municipal election, we've been hearing a lot about women in politics. Prime Minister Stephen Harper came under criticism this week after leaving women out of his "mini-shuffle." There are eight women in Harper's cabinet, but most of them have junior positions and none are ministers of any of the major portfolios.Premier Gordon Campbell fared a little better in his shuffle this week after giving Langley MLA Mary Polak the healthy living and sport ministry and our own Joan McIntyre the intergovernmental relations portfolio. We in Squamish appear well represented with a female MLA, a past female mayor of multiple terms, and at least one woman on council as far back as many residents can remember. But is the representation enough? And in this enlightened age, does it even really matter?It would if leaders and voters actually strived to funnel the best of humanity -- male and female - into government. And we're doing ourselves a disservice by underplaying women in leadership roles.Few would argue that men and women think differently. To boil it down, the skills that each brings to the table are communication and action. There's no need to point out which talent belongs to whom.The defensive among us will point out exceptions: there have been some exceptional male communicators (Martin Luther King Jr. springs to mind), and some strong, decisive women leaders (Margaret Thatcher sure made some waves). But in general, men typically work towards a goal whereas women are much more about dialogue and the journey.Ideally, a symbiosis occurs where the two approaches are married. There would first be a thorough examination and discussion of an issue where everyone would get to communicate thoughts and feelings on the matter (show of hands: how many men out there have just rolled their eyes?). Then a consensus would be achieved and action taken.With the slow-as-molasses government Canada currently endures, one would think less discussion and more action needs to take place. But has anyone watched Question Period lately? No one in their right mind can believe this is effective governing. This is grandstanding in the extreme and works only to further a party or politician's personal agenda -that is to be elected. What many female leaders envision when decrying the lack of peers in their midst is a re-working of the system where - gasp! - opponents actually listen to one another. But first what's needed is for more women to run for seats in government - any government. By all accounts, it's a rough road - who can forget how Belinda Stronach was treated? But the only way to exact change is from within. Let's hope we see more women stand up for Squamish come November.
