Joint statement on International Equal Pay Day: Greater equity for workers is part of building a strong economy

GATINEAU, QC, Sept. 18, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), and the Honourable John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour), issued the following statement marking International Equal Pay Day:

"Canada is strongest when everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed. Every woman should have a fair chance to achieve economic security, pursue her goals and build the future she wants for herself and her family. Yet too many women continue to face barriers that hold them back, and for some women, intersectional barriers can make those challenges even greater. While obstacles remain, we have an opportunity to continue building workplaces where every woman has the chance to succeed.

Workplaces are stronger when they reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. That is why we continue to advance representation and equality in federally regulated workplaces through the Employment Equity Act and the Pay Equity Act. Together, they require employers to proactively build diverse, inclusive workforces and ensure equal pay for work of equal value.

Employers and workers also need practical tools and resources to help identify barriers and make their workplaces more inclusive. That is why we are improving the Equi'Vision platform, including through a new AI-powered virtual assistant that will make it easier to identify pay and representation gaps and access the information needed to address them.

We have also launched calls for proposals in collaboration with Impact Canada at the Privy Council Office for two funding programs: Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity and the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Fund. Through these programs, we support innovative, results-driven projects that remove barriers for equity-deserving groups and build safer, more respectful workplaces.

Building a more equitable economy means supporting the organizations that are helping women overcome barriers and build economic security. These efforts complement legislative measures aimed at closing pay gaps by supporting women and girls across Canada to access economic opportunities and succeed in the workforce. In 2025, the federal government invested $382.5 million over five years and $76.5 million on an ongoing basis starting in 2026–27 in Women and Gender Equality Canada's Women's Program.

Through the 2023 Women's Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund, more than 160 organizations received approximately $100 million in funding to help women access economic and leadership opportunities and address barriers to their participation and advancement. Many projects have received additional support from new Women and Gender Equality Canada Budget 2025 funding to continue and build on this important work. Together, these efforts are helping more women achieve economic security and succeed on their own terms.

Lasting progress means making sure no one is left behind. That means recognizing that barriers are not experienced equally and that some women continue to face greater challenges than others. By continuing to remove barriers, we can help ensure more women are recognized fairly for their work and are able to reach their full potential."

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Contacts: For media enquiries, please contact: Jennifer Kozelj, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, [email protected]; Erin Quevillon, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), 819-661-2374, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; Media Relations, Women and Gender Equality Canada, 819-420-6530, [email protected]