1. A few weeks ago, I posted some charts about #CouncilSoWhite in Ontario, as part of the #MunicipalDemocracyIndex I'm working on. Today, let's take a look at gender breakdown on Ontario's city councils. (Spoiler: It's a boy!)

2. The Sausage Party gold medal goes to the @CityofPickering, for their all-male Council.

3. And the silver medal... is a tie!! Congrats to @CityWindsorON and @CityofBrantford!! Both Councils are 90.9% male. (Note: Windsor has a municipal by-election coming up... so they may drop to Bronze)

4. And here's a full ranking of Ontario's 32 largest cities, by city council gender balance:

5. And here's a look at mayors only. 32 mayors. 28 dudes. (88% male).

6. System design influences outcomes. There are so many reforms that would make local democracy more accessible, including better voting methods, public campaign finance tools, marketing/promotion of nomination period, smaller wards, etc... https://www.teardown.build/ 

7. Punchline: I just learned that it's #genderequalityweek! Hashtags will only get us so far. If we use a system that offers advantages to those who are political insiders, while pushing out new voices, then we shouldn't be surprised when the outcome is disappointing. ~ end