Abstract
This mixed-methods study investigates the legislative behavior and policy prioritization of women Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Canadian context, specifically examining the influence of ongoing debates and voluntary party initiatives related to gender quotas. Despite the absence of legislated gender quotas at the national level, discussions surrounding their implementation and various party-level efforts have contributed to an incremental increase in women's representation. Employing a quantitative analysis of parliamentary records (bill sponsorship, committee participation, speech transcripts) from the 42nd and 43rd Canadian Parliaments and qualitative semi-structured interviews with current and former women MPs, the study reveals distinct patterns in legislative focus. Findings indicate that women MPs are significantly more likely to prioritize issues related to social welfare, health, gender equality, and environmental protection compared to their male counterparts. Qualitative data further elucidates the motivations behind these priorities, highlighting a perceived responsibility among women MPs to advocate for marginalized groups and bring diverse perspectives to policy-making. The study contributes to the literature on substantive representation, suggesting that while quotas directly influence descriptive representation, the broader discourse around them can indirectly shape legislative behavior and policy agendas even in non-quota systems.
