Published April 15, 2024

LJI Reporter
Tashi Farmilo

As International Women’s Day approaches, the spotlight turns to the female city councillors of
Gatineau, who share their experiences in leadership roles in the community. Councillors Isabelle
N. Miron, Anik Des Marais, Caroline Murray, and Alicia Lacasse-Brunet offer insights into the
evolving perceptions of women in politics, the challenges they face, and their notable
accomplishments.

Councillor Isabelle N. Miron of l’Orée-du-Parc district shares her observations on the changing
perceptions of women in leadership. “In the six years I’ve been a councillor, I’ve seen more and
more women, and young people, running for mayor in their cities. It’s becoming more common
to see women as the majority on municipal councils,” Miron notes. However, she expresses
concern about the unprecedented wave of resignations since the 2021 elections, pointing out
that the social climate is not at its best, and women are often targeted by aggression on social
media.

One of the most significant challenges for women in politics, according to Miron, is balancing
work and family life. “Finding time for our families is always a challenge in a demanding job like
politics, but it’s often mothers who receive comments like ‘but who’s taking care of the children
while you’re sitting?'” she explains. Miron has managed this challenge by involving her
daughters in her political activities, although she laments that their absence now sometimes
leads to disappointment.

Miron is proud of her efforts to promote gender equality in Gatineau’s municipal government. “In
my first term, I led the drafting of a city equality policy with various organizations. This policy
demonstrates the simple steps to be taken to make our bodies (committees and commissions)
and our public service more representative, with more women and more people from different
communities present in the city of Gatineau,” she says.

Anik Des Marais, councillor for Mitigomijokan, emphasizes the need for continued efforts to
empower young women in politics. “I am inspired by my younger colleagues. The leadership of
women in citizen groups such as Gatineau sans pesticides and Mères au front is remarkable for
their altruistic work,” she says. Des Marais highlights her achievements in promoting citizen
participation and urban planning awareness as victories for municipal democracy. “I have
worked tirelessly to strengthen the bond between our elected officials and our citizens. My role
in making the city’s urban planning rules more accessible and understandable has been crucial
in empowering our residents to actively participate in shaping their living environment,” she
adds.

Caroline Murray, councillor for Deschênes, shares her unique experience of campaigning while
pregnant and bringing her daughter to meetings and council sessions during her first year in
office. “The presence of women and mothers at the decision-making table brings an essential
perspective,” Murray asserts. She advocates for the necessary support for women in municipal ​
politics to balance family life and work.

Alicia Lacasse-Brunet, councillor for the Bellevue district, addresses the challenges of being a
woman in politics, including the constant quest for recognition and the additional effort required
to be taken seriously. “Being a woman in politics is an incessant quest for recognition, where
every word spoken can be subjected to rigorous evaluation,” she says. Lacasse-Brunet
highlights her commitment to fostering a healthy democracy in Gatineau through collaboration
with her team, local associations, and city administration. “My role has been to bridge the gap
between the citizens and the municipal administration, ensuring that the voices of our
community are heard and respected in the decision-making process,” she emphasizes.

Photo: International Women’s Day brings insights from Councillors Isabelle N. Miron, Anik Des
Marais, Caroline Murray, and Alicia Lacasse-Brunet on the evolving perceptions of women in
politics. (TF) Photo courtesy of the City of Gatineau

Scroll to Top