Print

Text

As Canada's first female federal Liberal cabinet minister, Judy LaMarsh can be credited for ushering in some of the most progressive legislation of the 1960s.

As Minister of Health and Welfare, the Canada Pension Plan was one of her responsibilities. Later on in her political career, as secretary of state, LaMarsh was at the helm of Canada's 1967 centennial celebrations.

Retiring to Niagara Falls in 1968, LaMarsh, a native of Chatham, Ont., hosted a radio show, conducted a weekly television show in Ottawa and made frequent national television appearances before succumbing to cancer in 1980.

Four years later, a fund was set up in her name. It has been providing financial support to women pursuing federal Liberal candidacy. Money remains one of the biggest barriers for women who would like to run for Parliament, according to its literature.

"There are hundreds of women, from every walk of life, who would go into politics with some party encouragement," she once said.

Inspired by her story, local artist and member of the Parkdale-High Park Women's Liberal Association Karin Ungar, with the help of fellow member Sandra Drake, have organized a fundraising concert.

All That Latin Jazz has two intentions: To raise the profile of artists in the Parkdale-High Park riding while helping to send Liberal women to Ottawa.

"We have a culturally rich riding," said Ungar, "with an amazing array of painters, musicians and actors. From my point of view, currently in Ontario, artists are not being supported as much as they should be."

The concert, on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. West, features the talents of Jane Bunnett, a Parkdale area resident, but also a world renowned jazz artist, and her eight-piece Cuban band. The concert also features a performance by the Cuban Vocal Choir Grupo Vocal Desandann.

"We are interested in creating an event that juxtaposes business, politics and culture in order to attract a mixed crowd of supporters and to give the arts as well as female politicians a much greater prominence than is currently the norm," Ungar said.

She hopes to make this event an annual one.

"It'll be a great night out, a stimulating evening," Ungar added.

The event starts at 7 p.m. The cost is $150 per person.

Contact karinungar@pathcom.com or 416-766-4213 for more information.