While verifying some data against the Elections Canada Nominations Database this morning, I realized that they had a few names not already in the Pundits' Guide database, so let's rectify that right now:

• Stormont – Dundas – South Glengarry, ON - On May 14 local Greens renominated their 2008 candidate, David Rawnsley, by acclamation. This eastern Ontario riding is currently held by three-term Conservative M.P. Guy Lauzon, and at least one candidate (Bernadette Clement) is also considering a run for the Liberals, as reported here earlier.
• Dufferin – Caledon, ON - On June 2 Greens in this riding met to acclaim their 2008 candidate as well. Ard Van Leeuwen posted his party's 6th best performance of the last election, and while at least one Liberal blogger had been suggesting this seat as a good choice for Elizabeth May to run in, it appears for now that Greens in this riding are already represented for the next election. This largely rural riding northwest of Toronto is currently represented by three-term Conservative M.P. David Tilson, and will also have a new Liberal candidate with the resignation from party politics of 2008 candidate Rebecca Finch earlier this year.
  
• Trinity – Spadina, ON - The next day on June 3, local Greens also met in this downtown Toronto riding to renominate their 2008 candidate, performance artist and arts educator Stephen La Frenie, also known as "Mime-guy". La Frenie, who was acclaimed, rejoins 2008 Liberal candidate Christine Innes who was also recently acclaimed for another run. The riding is currently held by two-term NDP M.P. Olivia Chow. No potential Conservative candidate has surfaced as yet. The riding's recently history was covered here last month.

This brings my count of Green Party candidates up to 27, 11 of them women. Of the 10 Conservative non-incumbent candidates already nominated, there are no women as yet. Of the 19 non-incumbent Liberal candidates, just 4 are women. The NDP has nominated just one non-incumbent candidate so far in a potential by-election riding, but just not a woman. And of the three non-incumbents nominated by the Bloc, none are women either.

I've written before that you can get an indication of which next-tier ridings parties are targetting based on where they nominate non-incumbents early. Clearly everyone has a bit of work to do if they are going to meet their commitments to Equal Voice of last month. Of course it may be a bit early to assess their slates in terms of gender and ethnic diversity, but it's a trend worth watching over the coming months.

Labels: 41st General Election Nominations, Greens, Women Candidates