The academic and podcaster Kate Graham discusses her book No Second Chances: Women and Political Power in Canada (Second Story Press, 2022), with Joseph Planta.

No Second Chances: Women and Political Power in Canada by Kate Graham (Second Story Press, 2022). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: No Second Chances

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. An important book out now is called No Second Chances: Women and Political Power in Canada. Its author Kate Graham joins me now. As the title says, of the women who have managed to reach high political office in this country, either elected or appointed premier or prime minister, none have won re-election. I’ll ask Kate as to why there aren’t second chances in politics. She has marvelous insight, as she conducted interviews with those women, only thirteen as of September of 2021, for the Canada 2020 No Second Chances podcast. The book features transcripts of those conversations with Kim Campbell, Christy Clark, Kathleen Wynne, Pauline Marois, Eva Aariak, Kathy Dunderdale, Nellie Cournoyea, Pat Duncan, Rachel Notley, Alison Redford, Caroline Cochrane, and Catherine Callbeck. These are women who have served over the last three decades, of various political stripe, and from coast to coast to coast. The conversations don’t shy away from controversial parts of one’s political career. Former premiers Redford, Clark, Wynne, and Marois are particularly candid about the reasons for their defeats, as well as the unpleasantness that each encountered as they sought and served in high office. The book also features analysis as to what’s happened in the country over the years, and where much more can be done to encourage not just gender diversity in our politics. Kate Graham teaches political science at Western, and Huron University College. She is the creator and host of the podcast No Second Chances, which can be found at www.NoSecondChances.ca. She was also the Liberal Party of Ontario candidate in the riding of London North Centre in the 2018 and 2022 provincial elections. This book is published by Second Story Press. She joined me from London, Ontario, nearly two weeks ago. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Kate Graham; Dr. Graham, good morning.

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