Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth
Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth, a podcast by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), gives a voice to Parliamentarians, civil society experts and activists across the Commonwealth to discuss common democratic challenges and share their ideas on what can be done to solve them. The CPA promotes knowledge of the constitutional, legislative, economic, social and cultural aspects of parliamentary democracy. Our work enables Commonwealth Parliamentarians and officials to uphold and strengthen parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, sustainable development and human rights.
Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth
Hon. Donna Skelly (Ontario): Being a Presiding Officer, overcoming barriers for women in politics and the role of the ‘modern’ Commonwealth
This episode of ‘Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth’, the CPA’s Podcast, speaks to Hon. Donna Skelly, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Canada – the first woman in Ontario to hold this prestigious position.
We speak about her role as a Presiding Officer and Member of Parliament; the barriers facing women in politics and how to overcome them; the role of ‘modern’ Commonwealth; and how her previous career as a journalist has helped in political life.
Hon. Donna Skelly was speaking with Jeffrey Hyland, Editor of The Parliamentarian, the CPA’s Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments.
Music: Vine Crawler by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue)
Recorded in July 2025 at the 61st CPA Canada Regional Conference in Québec.