It’s been two years since Richmond council asked city staff to look into creating a women’s advisory committee.
This request came from a motion put forward by former city councillor Kelly Greene and was unanimously supported by her council colleagues.
According to the city, the referral is still a “work in progress.”
Steveston resident Karina Reid reached out to the city already a year ago asking when the women’s advisory committee would be established, but a year later it has yet to be added to the city’s roster of 20 advisory committees.
Reid told the Richmond News advisory committees and city engagement are closely linked, and a way to bring more women into politics.
“How do we bring more women to the table? Those advisory committees are crucial,” she said.
It introduces citizens to city hall, and it makes it less intimidating to approach city council with issues they might be passionate about.
Pointing out voter turnout was only 25 per cent during the recent municipal election – something Reid called “deplorable” - she thinks it’s time for city council to “reflect” on why engagement is so low in Richmond.
One way would be to have more advisory committees, including bringing on board the women’s advisory committee.
However, city spokesperson Clay Adams pointed out two-thirds of the volunteers on the city’s current 20 advisory committees are women “who actively bring their knowledge, experience and perspective to the table.”
A study, done by Women Transforming Cities, looked at women’s representation on advisory committees in Vancouver and Surrey.
The study noted, in Surrey, men “far outnumber” women on advisory groups that dealt with land-use issues liked development, urban design, the environment and food policy.
Women were more highly represented on Surrey advisory committees that dealt with social and cultural issues.
In a letter to the city, Reid noted Vancouver advisory committees must comprise of 50 per cent women and 50 per cent “diverse members from equity-seeking groups” based on a policy they’ve adopted.
She would like to see the City of Richmond adopt a similar policy.
“If you have an equity mandate, it makes the city accountable to have that across the board,” she said.
This is especially important in Richmond where the recent census showed 80 per cent of the city is non-white.
Not only would Reid like to see the women’s advisory committee, she believes the city also needs a renters’ advisory committee as well as an anti-racism and reconciliation advisory committee.
Greene’s original motion noted women are under-represented at all levels of government, for example, across Canada, women hold 28 per cent of elected positions.
The new Richmond city council, which will be sworn into office next week, comprises of three women and six men.
