DEI Initiative / People / Grace McInnis
Grace McInnis
The first woman elected to the BC House of Commons, McInnis preceded that work as a founding member of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, a social democratic party that emerged during the 1930s in Canada, as well as the New Democratic Party. She was interested specifically in abortion rights, women’s equality, family planning and affordable housing. During her time in Parliament, she was a forceful proponent of equality for women and an early advocate for causes that would come to be debated in the Canadian government, including the removal of abortion from the Criminal Code of Canada. One problem that MacInnis recognized during her time in Parliament was that men don’t usually engage in issues involving women. MacInnis advocated for those on lower incomes, in hopes of creating more opportunities for those who aren’t able to create their own. She highlighted the importance of the ability for women to not have to choose between work and having children, and considered the need for more childcare centres so this could be made possible. In addition, she pressed for advancements towards training and education in order for all classes of women to qualify for better jobs.