Episode 1. Angela Simmonds: A Time for Change, But At What Cost?
Black on the Ballot
Angela Simmonds made history as the first Black deputy speaker in Nova Scotia’s House of Assembly. But after just two years in elected office and a run at her party’s leadership, she resigned. Why? What challenges did she face during her time in politics? What is she most proud of? And what are the hidden pitfalls of entering the political arena?
In this episode, Angela Simmonds tells host Nana aba Duncan her story of running for the leadership of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and ultimately leaving politics altogether.
This episode features:
Angela Simmonds, Deputy Speaker and Member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (2021-2023)
Wisdom Tettey, a political scientist and President of Carleton University
Erin Tolley, a political scientist and Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race & Inclusive Politics at Carleton University
This episode includes audio clips from CTV News Atlantic.
Resources for this episode:
Read the research that supports this podcast:
New report on being Black in Canadian politics
Election rules in Nova Scotia:
On the link between money and politics in Canada:
Gender and donations in Canadian politics
Ethnicity and donations in Canadian politics
On the politics of appearance:
Hair, skin and Black women political elites
Follow us on Instagram @black.on.the.ballot
This podcast is part of Black Canadians in Electoral Politics, a research partnership between Carleton University and Operation Black Vote Canada. To learn more, visit our website. To support the important work being done by Operation Black Vote Canada, consider making a donation.
Funding for the podcast comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Carleton University, the Canada Research Chairs Program, and the University of Toronto Scarborough. In-kind support was provided to Carleton University by the Samara Centre for Democracy.
The podcast was produced by Media Girlfriends.