WINNIPEG, March 2, 2018 /CNW/ - A strong middle class depends on a job market where both women and men have a real and fair chance at success. When Canadian women can count on equal pay for work of equal value, our economy grows stronger, families prosper, and communities thrive.
That's why, in Budget 2018, the Government of Canada announced that this year it will introduce proactive pay equity for workers in federally regulated sectors. It is estimated that through this legislation alone, the gender wage gap can be moved from 88.1 cents to 90.7 cents in the federal private sector alone. This is part of the Government's commitment to breaking down barriers to gender equality in education, employment and entrepreneurship, so that women and girls can contribute to—and benefit from—Canada's success and prosperity.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, was in the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce to highlight Budget 2018 and to discuss how proactive pay equity can help close the gender wage gap.
The Government will continue its ongoing consultations with employers, workers and other stakeholders in the coming months to ensure pay equity will be applied fairly and effectively.
While proactive pay equity legislation is an important tool to close the gender wage gap, it needs to be part of a broader array of policy tools, such as the Government's investments in early learning and child care, better training and learning financing, enhanced parental leave flexibility, pay transparency, and the continued appointment of skilled, talented women into leadership positions.
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"By taking steps through new federal investments and initiatives to ensure that women and girls have the skills and opportunities they need to succeed, the Government is building a stronger economy that works for all Canadians. The Government knows that equal pay for work of equal value is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do for growing our economy. That's why Budget 2018 announced proactive pay equity legislation for federally regulated workplaces. Providing women with equal economic opportunities and enabling them to fully participate in the labour force will drive innovation and support the middle class."
-The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada
For media enquiries, please contact: Émilie Gauduchon-Campbell, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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