New federal investment will help improve women's economic security in Moncton
News release
Project will enhance pay equity across New Brunswick
November 13, 2018 – Moncton, New Brunswick – Status of Women Canada
The Government 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.
The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, today announced Government of Canada funding for a project that will increase women's economic security in Moncton and across New Brunswick.
The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity, Inc. will receive $335,005 for a 36-month project called "Valuing Private Care Work Offered in the Private Sector". With this project, the organization will work to address the low wages paid to women working as caregivers in private care facilities. They will evaluate wages paid in this sector and determine equitable pay levels for a range of caregiving services in the province. While doing so, they will support caregivers in advocating for equal pay for work of equal value. Their goal is to help transform the way in which caregiving is valued by society.
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 child care responsibilities as their reason for working part-time. To help eliminate the gender wage gap, the Government of Canada recently introduced proactive pay equity legislation for the federally-regulated sector. The federal government is leading by example and hopes to see others in the public and private sectors follow suit.
In October 2017, 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.
"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 that will target the barriers holding women back, like the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity, Inc., 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 of Status of Women
"For far too long, women in caregiving have been overrepresented and underpaid. That changes now, with funding from our government to help the New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity evaluate wages and determine equitable pay levels. As a former member and a lifelong advocate for equal pay, I couldn't be prouder that we're supporting the Coalition's important work to level the playing field for all women."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health
"We are very pleased to receive the support of the federal government to help us in the struggle to advance pay equity in New Brunswick. We hope that with this project we will be able to change the way our society values the work of caregivers and correct an historic injustice to women who work in this important sector of our economy."
Frances LeBlanc, President
The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity, Inc.
Quick facts
On October 29, 2018, the Government of Canada introduced an Act to Establish a Proactive Pay Equity Regime within the Federal Public and Private Sectors (Pay Equity Act). This historic legislation will ensure that more women are fairly compensated for their hard work.
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.
Economic security is composed of basic social security, defined by access to basic needs such as health, education and housing.
The Women's Program at Status of Women Canada supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers.
