N.S. news: Annapolis Royal elects first all-women council [Video]

HALIFAX –

A small town in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley elected its first all-women council last week, a “historic” result at a time when women continue to face barriers to entering local politics, says a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Adele MacDonald, Lynn Myers, Sybil Skinner Robertson and Heather Sadkowski were elected to the five-person council in the town of Annapolis Royal, N.S., in the Oct. 19 election. Amery Boyer was re-elected for a second term as mayor of the town, which had a population of about 530 people according to the 2021 census.

Boyer, 72, has had a long career working for federal and provincial governments, as well as the private sector. Born and raised during a time when women in senior roles — regardless of the industry — was uncommon, Boyer credits her success to her supportive family, and her decision to take advantage of a federal work program …