Ed Broadbent raises the arm of Audrey McLaughlin at the New Democrats' leadership convention on Dec. 2, 1989. (Canadian Press)

Audrey McLaughlin, the first woman to lead a Canadian federal political party, says people still question 20 years later if they're ready for a female leader.

McLaughlin made history on Dec. 2, 1989, when she became leader of the New Democratic Party at the NDP's convention in Winnipeg.

She had been a member of Parliament for the Yukon for only two years when she defeated seasoned political veterans to win the party's top spot on the fourth ballot.

"I think I was considered a no-shot, yeah, I think I was considered a pretty long shot," McLaughlin recalled in an interview with CBC News on Wednesday.

McLaughlin, now 73, said attitudes about women in politics have not changed very much since then.

"I've heard the same thing in every country I've ever worked in, including Canada: 'You know, I don't know whether we are ready for a woman,'" she said.

"It's getting a bit better, but no, there's still that 'Are we ready for a woman?'"

McLaughlin led the federal New Democrats for six years before she stepped down in 1995, succeeded by Alexa McDonough.

She remained an MP until 1997, when she retired from political life. McLaughlin was invested into the Order of Canada in 2004.

She said the current political climate has made women more electable in certain ridings, but she added that too many politicians are more interested in power than good governance.

"I hope that people take more interest in the political process," she said. "I know there's a lot of cynicism, but we do get the government we deserve."