Minister Morneau Brings Budget 2018 Call to Action on Gender Equality to Calgary

March 7, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta – Department of Finance Canada

Making sure every Canadian has a real and fair chance at success is not just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Canada's future prosperity depends on it. To face the challenges of today and tomorrow, the Government of Canada will need the hard work and creativity of all Canadians. In return, it needs to ensure the benefits of a growing economy are felt by more and more people—with good, well-paying jobs for the middle class and everyone working hard to join it.

Finance Minister Bill Morneau today spoke to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce during a Facebook Live event held at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre on how Budget 2018 advances the Government's plan for middle class progress with new investments to promote gender equality and create new opportunities for Canadians.

Through Budget 2018, the federal government is leading by example in promoting gender equality by proposing:

• A legislated "equal-pay-for-equal-work" regime in federally regulated sectors to the benefit of approximately 1.2 million employees.  
• To provide Canadians with more information on the pay practices of employers in the federally regulated sector, helping to shine a light on employers who lead in equitable pay practices, while holding employers accountable for wage gaps. 
• To support the advancement of women in senior positions by publicly recognizing corporations that are committed to promoting women to senior leadership positions.
• A new Gender Results Framework to support equal opportunity for all Canadians, backed by new investments to achieve greater equality in the workforce and at home.
• A new Women Entrepreneurship Strategy to encourage greater participation by women in the economy, and help more women-owned companies grow into world-class businesses.