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Gormley: You know, I’m not sure that all of those issues can be at the forefront of the campaign. I mean, if every important issue could be at the forefront, there wouldn’t be a forefront. There is plenty of time left to talk about something new on social media, on Up For Debate’s one-on-one leader interviews, etc. But advocacy groups could also listen carefully to what’s already being talked about – say, security, civil liberties, democratic reform and the economy – explain how gender (and class, and race) play specific roles in those issues, and then try to shift the focus of the conversation rather than start a couple dozen new ones.

Voters may want to remind candidates that in the majority of age groups and the majority of jurisdictions, Canadian women have been voting more than men. That might get politicians’ attention.

Ashby: I don’t relish stuffing women’s issues into the “pink ghetto,” either, but I also have a hard time believing that the candidates will bring those issues up on their own without some incentive, or at least some prompting. Which is a bit disappointing, because I think all the candidates have the potential to differentiate themselves by bringing those issues up.

Chapin: I think debate moderators, politicians who have fought for women’s issues and journalists can do a lot to hold the candidates accountable. One thing news outlets in particular can do is determine and cover the issues they think should be at the forefront of the agenda.

Mulcair has lots to brag about, such as his universal daycare plan, despite its flaws, and his pledge to launch an inquiry into missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Trudeau has promised gender parity in cabinet. The Green Party’s platform includes pay equity legislation and reproductive rights. Like Shannon said, Canadian women have been voting more than men, so candidates should emphasize these issues as integral to their platforms.