BREN MUNRO

Bren Munro ‘s Platform for a Stronger National Women’s Liberal Commission
My vision for the Women’s Commission is that it can play a vital role in electing a Liberal government and in establishing equal representation of women in the House of Commons. 

As a woman who has run for the nomination, run as a candidate, formed a Women’s Club, and participates in the NWLC, I know what we need to do to support women.

Our Women’s Commission can help the Liberal Party win more seats across the country when we capitalize on the strength of women party members and Liberal women voters.

Part A Improving Cohesiveness in Regards to Membership
To improve Cohesiveness, we need an accurate list of the women who want to take part in the Women’s Liberal Commission.

We are looking for commitment from the 200K card-carrying Liberal women in Canada even if it just to stay in the information loop. We need to start making those calls and sending those eblasts of information with an “unsubscribe” option. To create an active WLC membership list, we should know who’s in and who’s out.

Electoral District Associations receive accurate accounts. Every morning, the Chair of District Associations receives a report stating all new Liberal members to their riding and the amount of funds donated. Let’s work with the Party to set up the same system for our Commission groups and Women’s Clubs.

This key information allows us to reach out to those new members. The intent is to get them interested enough to get involved. This all runs on trust which takes time to be developed.

Improving Cohesiveness in Regards to Fundraising
We should also know on a daily basis who has donated and the balance of funds in the Judy LaMarsh Fund. Knowing this would allow us to make the best financial decisions for our organization.

For example, women can reroute their Laurier Club Funds to the Judy LaMarsh Fund. However, neither the Commission nor the donor has a way of knowing if this went through as requested or how often this arrangement has to be renewed.

Once we have accurate accounts of active members and funds, we reach out in a more efficient way. And if a riding doesn’t have a woman candidate, we can suggest that the women of that riding send their Victory Fund to the JLM Fund to support other women candidates.

In one report from a candidate in the 2025 Election, the Conservatives hired a group of young people and paid them $2000.00 each to knock on every door in the riding.

Every Liberal woman Candidate needs to be able to do that.

Part B Improving Visibility
When it comes to improving the Visibility of our Commission, I would set up a number of new initiatives.

The first is to create a Bank of Experience. I would develop a bank of experienced past candidates and MP’s to be available to our women about to start their campaigns.

Secondly, I’d create a National Campaign College for Women, more tailored and in addition to what the Liberal Party offers. As well as resources and training, there needs to be a place where women candidates can go if they get into trouble. For example, one of the main jobs of the Candidate is to raise campaign funds. Asking for money can be difficult. That’s where the Bank of Experience and Campaign College can help.

As Alex Marland, Professor of Political Science, states: “There needs to be better training for aspiring parliamentarians”.

Visibility at the Riding Level
We should aim for a Liberal Women’s Club in every riding.

Women’s Clubs are important for a number of reasons. They offer camaraderie and connection. They allow for a place where women can talk about issues important to them. The Clubs are also a watch guard for women’s rights both locally and nationally. And, as a Club, they can fundraise for the local candidate or the Judy LaMarsh Fund. Women from the Clubs usually volunteer during election campaigns. Clubs can also promote riding membership by hosting social gatherings.

1.) To set up clubs, we first would make calls to Liberal women in the ridings to find those volunteers willing to carry on making calls. It would be an invitation to a get together or to ask if they would like more information about Women’s Clubs. This could be hundreds of calls in the beginning but it’s a necessary investment. Also, when volunteers are out door knocking, if there is a woman at the door, ask her if she’d like information about the local Liberal Women’s Club.
2.) Secondly, the Women’s Commission should make funds available to each Women’s Club, or point person setting up a club, for advertising in the local newspaper or social media. This is about getting women together and advertising develops interest.
3) Let’s use the Party Packages available to send eblast emails and text invitations to Liberal women within a riding. The cost of this would be offset when these new women send their Laurier Club or Victory Funds to the Judy LaMarsh Fund or attend fundraising events. A Liberal Women’s Club starts with 10 women. Once a month. Talking about the things that matter to them. A Saturday morning walk, talk, coffee. Or a lovely lunch in a beautiful location.

Visibility at the National Level
1.) A YouTube channel should be added to the NWLC website for videos where “Women Across Canada” can talk about their Women’s Clubs and current projects.
2.) A “Young Woman’s Advisory” Committee should be formed and given a voice on the YouTube channel.
3.) The Women’s Commission should take a stand on National Issues that concern women. That’s one of the things we do: provide a forum for engagement. Through advertising, let’s turn this awareness into action.
4.) Create a Political Action Committee (PAC) to lead this endeavour on National Issues. We can become a tightly organized National Network and use our collective and coordinated strength to be a positive force for change. The above is my wish list and is dependent upon the will of the Executive. I’d be happy if any one of the ideas is implemented.

Bren Munro
Candidate for National Chair of the National Women’s Liberal Commission
Chair and Founder of the Simcoe-Grey Federal Liberal Women’s Club
2021 2025 Federal Liberal Candidate for Simcoe-Grey, Ontario
brenmunro@gmail.com 705 443 7387 brenmunro.ca
April 2nd, 2026