text: from 5.7 per cent in 1983 to 13.2 per cent in 1990. In the judiciary, women had held 6.3 per cent of federal appointments in 1986 as compared with 8.5 per cent in 1989. The number of women appointed to positions as ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general had increased from 2 to 11 over the past five years. 38. There were no plans to introduce a quota system to ensure a minimum number of places for women in the legislature. The main political parties in Canada had taken steps to ensure that women were well represented at party conferences, conventions and at the executive level. Delegate selection procedures ensured that 50 per cent of the delegates to major political conventions were female. Since political candidates were selected at the constituency level, it was difficult for political parties to influence candidate selection. Women's political action was therefore focused on local constituencies in order to support female candidates during the selection process. 39. The National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women represented the first united voice on issues such as language training, immigration policy, social services and race relations. It had served as a catalyst for immigration, minority and women's groups to work together in presenting briefs to the federal Government. It also worked with public and private agencies to develop effective strategies. I • • • CEDAW/C/SR.l67 English Page 9 (Ms. Stanley, Canada) 40. In order to involve women in the political process, mainstream political parties had instituted special programmes, including political skills training, candidates' schools, mentorship programmes and parliamentary interns programmes. The parties had taken special measures to ensure that females were represented on executive, campaign and convention committees. At the national level, political fund-raising was targeted to the particular needs of women candidates. Article 8 41. With a view to ensuring better representation of women in international 
analysis: The text appears to be discussing the representation of women in various aspects of Canadian society, including politics, judiciary, and public administration. It highlights the efforts made by political parties and organizations to increase women's participation and representation in these areas.