Question Period Note: Gender Equality in the Economy

What is the Government of Canada doing to support gender equality in the economy?

• Throughout the pandemic, women have continuously demonstrated the essential role they play in Canada's economy.

• That is why the Government is addressing women's economic vulnerability during COVID-19 through:

o Support for workers who lost their income because of the pandemic;
o An increase in the Canada Child Benefit;
o A GST top-up for low and modest income households; and
o Safe Restart Agreements with Provinces and Territories to help cover essential services, including child care.

• This work will complement initiatives we already have in place, such as proactive pay equity legislation and flexible work arrangements, which are part of the Canada Labour Code. Since 2015, WAGE has approved $60.5M for more than 80 projects to improve women and girls’ economic security and prosperity.

Women continue to be less likely than men to participate in the labour force. The reasons for this are interrelated and include an inequitable share of unpaid domestic and care responsibilities that lead to workforce interruptions, as well as an overrepresentation of women in part-time or temporary work. This impedes women's earning ability, which, over time, impedes their overall economic security, including as seniors.

Women are facing increased rates of unemployment and economic hardship during the pandemic. Furthermore, the economic burden has been disproportionately felt by already-vulnerable populations and those with intersecting identities. The closure of schools and daycares impacts women’s ability to participate in the labour force or continue their own education.

In Canada, women are over-represented in service industries which have been shut down in response to COVID-19. Women hold the majority of jobs in sectors first impacted by physical distancing measures: accommodation, food services and retail. As a result, women lost jobs in March 2020 at twice the rate of men. In May 2020, when the economy started to reopen, increases in employment for men were double that of women. In July, employment had recovered to 82.1% of its February level among young (i.e., ages 15-24) women (vs. 83.1% among young men), 94.3% among core-aged (i.e., ages 25-54) women (vs. 95.6% among core-aged men), and 92.4% among older (i.e., ages 55 and older) women (vs. 94.3% of older men).

Prior to the pandemic, the Government of Canada undertook several initiatives to help advance women’s economic participation, including:
• A Multilateral Early Learning and Child Care Framework;
• Flexible work arrangements as part of the Canada Labour Code;
• Maternity and parental benefits;
• Proactive Pay Equity Legislation; and
• Programs to support more women in non-traditional economic areas like skilled trades and entrepreneurship.

The Department for Women and Gender Equality supports women’s economic security by funding organizations and building partnerships to address systemic barriers and to increase private sector leadership and investments in women.
• In fall 2017, the Department for Women and Gender Equality launched two calls for proposals, representing approximately $15M, to increase the economic security of women in Canada. Of the $15M, $5M was dedicated to supporting Indigenous women’s economic success.

The Government is committed to promoting LGBTQ2 equality, protecting LGBTQ2 rights, and addressing discrimination against LGBTQ2 communities, including in the workplace.
• Budget 2019 committed to investing $20 million in LGBTQ2 organizations to help address persistent disparities among LGBTQ2 Canadians.

None