We are appalled and disappointed by Jane Thornthwaite’s comments about @BowinnMa at a @bcliberals roast of @Ralph_Sultan. We were also disappointed by the initial non-apology that @jthornthwaite tweeted this morning in response to online coverage. https://twitter.com/BowinnMa/status/1315359214907219968

This behaviour toward women — the constant criticism of how women dress, how they sit, how they speak, and how they navigate the world in everyday situations and in all spaces — is exactly why so many women avoid getting involved in politics. This is unacceptable.

To be a woman in politics is to always be in hostile waters. Women in politics burn out all the time because they’re not just working as legislators; they’re also battling systemic misogyny built into our political systems.

Getting women into positions of power isn’t just about getting names on ballots and getting out the vote, it’s about ensuring that women have full agency as empowered, respected legislators, judged on the work that they do.

Politics is an intimidating arena to enter as it is, and no one deserves to be treated how @BowinnMa was by @jthornthwaite and her colleagues. Having seen the subsequent apology this morning, we are watching and will hold her accountable to her commitment to do better.