New federal investment will help improve women's economic security in Laval
Project will improve access to employment for women in vulnerable situations
LAVAL, QC, Feb. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and understands the important role that creating more opportunities for women in all aspects of Canadian life can play in promoting women's empowerment. By investing in projects that improve women's economic security, we are helping to ensure that women, their families and communities can prosper.
Eva Nassif, Member of Parliament for Vimy, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, today announced federal funding for a project that will improve economic security for women in Laval.
The Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine will receive $295,725 in funding for a 36-month project entitled "Laval mobilisé pour les femmes en situation de vulnérabilité : des partenaires unis dans l'action pour les changements structuraux" which seeks to remove systemic barriers to employment for vulnerable women in the Laval region.
The organization will collaborate with local partners in key employment sectors, service providers and women in Laval, whose lived experience of employment barriers include domestic abuse, poverty, housing, mental and physical health issues.
A Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) will be applied to existing policies to determine common service gaps and barriers in transportation, access to child care, training opportunities, job-matching methods and other job placement issues. New procedures and protocols will be piloted through three community partners to create a model that can be incorporated into practices at the regional level.
Quotes
"Our government knows that when we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone, and that's why these projects are so important: they are creating the right conditions for women to thrive in their careers – and their lives. By funding organizations like the Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine that work to eliminate the barriers holding women back, we are ensuring that all Canadians – regardless of gender – have a real and fair chance at success."
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister for Women and Gender Equality
"I believe that with this important project, and with the help of key partners, the Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine will be able to continue this noble mission they've chosen, which is to provide a more secure future for women in need, and to fight alongside them so their rights will be recognized. I am proud that the Government of Canada is committed to supporting their efforts through the Women's Program at the Department for Women and Gender Equality."
Eva Nassif
Member of Parliament for Vimy
Member, Standing Committee on the Status of Women
"We're grateful to have the support of the Department for Women and Gender Equality for this important project. Many women living in Laval face serious barriers and disadvantages to employment. By collaborating with these women and local and regional groups and partners, we can find a solution together that works for all levels of society. With this approach, we can improve the lives of many women in Laval by helping them find more economic security."
Marie-Ève Surprenant
Coordinator, Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine
Quick Facts
- McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women—such as employing more women in technology and boosting women's participation in the workforce—Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.
- Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. In 2015, women in Canada earned just 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. They are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 76% of all part-time workers, with 25% of women reporting childcare responsibilities as their reason for working part-time.
- The Women's Program at the Department for Women and Gender Equality supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.
- Economic security is composed of basic social security, defined by access to basic needs such as health, education and housing.
- In October 2017, the Department for Women and Gender Equality (formerly Status of Women Canada) invited organizations to propose projects that support women's economic security across Canada by addressing some of the root causes of inequality, including barriers such as access to childcare, unequal pay and the gender wage gap. Through this call for proposals, entitled Support for Women's Economic Security, more than 30 projects have been approved for a total of $10 million in funding. These projects will unfold over a period of three years, and funding builds on our ongoing efforts to support women's economic empowerment and advance gender equality for all Canadians.
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Backgrounder
Department for Women and Gender Equality – Women's Program
One of the ways the Department for Women and Gender Equality advances gender equality in Canada is by providing funding to eligible organizations through the Women's Program. Projects are selected via calls for proposals on specific themes, as well as through a continuous intake process that allows the Women's Program to address emerging issues as they arise.
The Women's Program funds projects that address systemic barriers to women's equality in three priority areas: ending violence against women and girls; improving the economic security and prosperity of women and girls; and encouraging women and girls in leadership roles.
Calls for Proposals – Support for Women's Economic Security and Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women
On October 2, 2017, the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, launched two calls for proposals. The first call, entitled Support for Women's Economic Security, invited organizations to apply for funding for projects to address the economic security of women and help advance gender equality in Canada. More than 30 projects will receive a total of $10 million in funding through this call for proposals.
This call for proposals is divided into two themes; the first is Building Partnerships to Address Systemic Barriers, which provides funding to address major barriers that limit women's economic security, including, but not limited to, the accessibility of childcare, the gender wage gap and pay inequity.
The second theme, Increasing Private Sector Leadership and Investments in Women, encourages organizations to partner with the private sector to find innovative solutions that will help advance women's economic security.
The second call for proposals, entitled Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women, invited organizations to foster collaboration between Indigenous women, Indigenous organizations, their communities, and the private sector to support the economic security and prosperity of Indigenous women across Canada. Fifteen projects across the country will receive nearly $5 million in funding through this call for proposals.
Funded Project
The Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine (TCLCF) is a feminist group that works with its members to improve the quality of life and economic security of women, specifically in Laval. Incorporated in 1995, the TCLCF is dedicated to the collective defense of women's rights including self-determination and security, housing, health and economic independence. Their chief focus is providing support for marginalized women in Laval and creating alliances with local and regional stakeholders to initiate collective action towards the betterment of all women's lives.
Project Description
The Government of Canada will provide $295,725 in funding to the TCLCF for a 36-month project aimed at improving women's economic security entitled "Laval mobilisé pour les femmes en situation de vulnérabilité : des partenaires unis dans l'action pour les changements structuraux."
The project will collaborate with multiple partners in key employment sectors to remove barriers to employment for vulnerable women in Laval. Key outcomes include reducing systemic barriers such as transportation and access to childcare, training opportunities, job-matching methods and other job placement issues.
A Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) will be applied to existing policies, procedures and protocols of service providers in Laval. Stakeholders and women with lived experiences of employment barriers, such as poverty, mental and physical health issues, will be included in the analysis through surveys, focus groups and general consultation.
The GBA+ will help determine common gaps and barriers across local service platforms that need to be addressed. New procedures and protocols will be developed through three community partners and three pilot projects that will be used to create a model that can be incorporated into practices at the regional level.
Key partners in the project include the City of Laval's Division du développement social, the Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de Laval, as well as Dimension Travail and the Réseau des organismes et intervenants en itinérance de Laval.
Provincial Statistics – Women's Economic Security
- In 2018, women in Québec earned $0.89 for every dollar earned by men on an average hourly basis. Said differently, in 2018 there was a gender wage gap in Québec of $0.11.
- In 2018, the employment rate was 57.8% among women and 64.3% among men in Québec.
- In 2018, 25.3% of employed women and 12.4% of employed men in Québec worked part-time.
Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0018-01 Labour force characteristics by sex and detailed age group, annual (x 1,000)
National Statistics – Women's Economic Security
- In 2015, 82.0% of women in the core working ages of 25 to 54 years (6 million) participated in the labour market.
- Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0018-01 Labour force characteristics by sex and detailed age group, annual (x 1,000)
- In 2018, women in the core working ages represented 48.0% of the labour force, up from 46.3% in 1999 and 35.4% in 1976.
Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0018-01 Labour force characteristics by sex and detailed age group, annual (x 1,000) - In 2018, the national employment rate for women was 79.1% compared to 86.3% for men.
Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0018-01 Labour force characteristics by sex and detailed age group, annual (x 1,000) - On average women work 5.8 hours per week less than men (35.3 hours/week compared to 41.1 hours/week).
Statistics Canada. 2017. Women and Paid Work - The average net worth of lone mothers was less than half of that of lone fathers: $240,000 versus $540,000. Unattached women and men had similar average net worth at $250,000 and $230,000, respectively.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-503-x/2015001/article/54930-eng.htm and https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-503-x/2015001/article/54930/tbl/tbl02-eng.htm - Lone mothers had the lowest average adjusted income ($25,300), followed by those who were unattached ($33,700). The average adjusted incomes of lone fathers and unattached men were similar (around $40,300). Notably, the average adjusted income of lone mothers was $15,000 less than that of lone fathers.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/89-503-x/2015001/article/54930/c-g/c-g05-eng.htm
Associated Links
- Table de concertation de Laval en condition féminine
- Support for Women's Economic Security
- Department for Women and Gender Equality – Women's Program
Follow the Department for Women and Gender Equality:
SOURCE Department for Women and Gender Equality
Braeson Holland, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality, 343-549-8825; Joshua Kirkey, Manager, Corporate and Internal Communications, Department for Women and Gender Equality, 819-420-6884
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