MNL Vice-President Appointed National Chair for Increasing Women’s Participation in Municipal Politics 

For Immediate Release
August 10, 2021

St. John’s, NL – Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Vice-president Trina Appleby is taking on a key role in advancing women’s participation in municipal politics across Canada. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has appointed Appleby as the National Chair for the Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in Municipal Government.

In Canada, women occupy 18% of mayors’ positions and 28% of councillors’ seats. In Newfoundland and Labrador, these percentages are slightly higher. 24% of mayors are women and more than 30% are councillors.

The Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in Municipal Government is committed to making it easier for women to participate in local governance and to have their voices heard. The committee aims to see gender parity achieved on councils across Canada.

Appleby, who has been a member of the MNL Board of Directors since 2018, says she is thrilled to help other women see themselves in municipal politics.

“Increasing diversity around the council table is critically important right now,” says Appleby, who is also Deputy Mayor of the Town of Torbay. “Ensuring that women feel supported to put their names on the ballot and to remain in municipal politics are priorities for me in this new role.”

MNL President Amy Coady-Davis says that MNL has various initiatives aimed at increasing diversity amongst candidates, including working on creative ways to break down some of those barriers that prevent women from running.

“I am so happy to see Trina Appleby in this role. It’s so important. We need more diverse voices around the table to ensure that the decisions made actually benefit those living, working, and raising families in the community,” says Coady-Davis.

Appleby joined the FCM board in 2020 as part of the first all-female delegation of municipal representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador. She’s also making history alongside Coady-Davis as part of the the first all-female MNL executive.

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Media contact: 
Dr. Deatra Walsh
Director of Advocacy and Communications
Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador
709.986.2771/dwalsh@municipalnl.ca