Sept 21/10 - Pt 2: Women in Question Period

We started this segment with a clip of some less than shining moments from our democratically elected representatives over the years. To some, those moments add up to a sexist and degrading atmosphere ... one that hangs over the House of Commons and discourages women from running for office. Michael Chong is a Conservative MP. And he has put forward a motion meant to change the atmosphere.

Michael Chong is a Conservative MP. His motion to reform question period is set to be voted on in the next two weeks. And for Sylvia Bashevkin, this kind of reform is essential if we expect more women to run for office. She's the Principal of University College at the University of Toronto. She's also the author of Women, Power, Politics: The Hidden Story of Canada's Unfinished Democracy. She was in Toronto. Carolyn Bennett is a former cabinet minister and a Liberal Member of Parliament. She was in Ottawa this morning. And Deb Grey is a former Member of Parliament for the Conservative party of Canada. She was in Qualicum Beach, B.C.

Articles: Women still facing uphill battle in politics / Tory heckles drown out Liberal MP's flu questions / Confessions of a heckler: Harper made me do it / How to fix Question Period