Government Continues Efforts to Bring Equality and Growth to the Middle Class

October 29, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

Canada's economy is strong and growing, with more jobs and opportunities for the middle class and people working hard to join it. Making sure every Canadian has a fair chance to benefit from this economic success is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. Canada's future prosperity depends on it.

Today, the Government of Canada took the next step toward ensuring that all Canadians benefit from economic growth. Finance Minister Bill Morneau tabled in the House of Commons the second Budget Implementation Act for Budget 2018, Equality + Growth: A Strong Middle Class.

Through the Act, the Government is moving forward with historic investments that encourage the broader participation of women in the workforce, and help to build an economy that works for everyone. Key measures include a new Employment Insurance Parental Sharing Benefit that would provide additional weeks of parental benefits when parents, including adoptive and same-sex couples, agree to share parental leave. Also included in this Act is pay equity legislation to ensure that women working in federally regulated workplaces receive equal pay for work of equal value, as well as legislation to promote gender budgeting and the establishment of the Department for Women and Gender Equality to promote gender equality for all Canadians.

Today's legislation also includes proposals making it easier for Canadians and their businesses to compete and succeed. The second Budget Implementation Act:

• Allows the Canada Revenue Agency to calculate the Canada Workers Benefit for any tax filer who has not claimed it;
• Simplifies Canada's tariff regime to ease administrative burden and reduce compliance costs for Canadian businesses;
• Provides a deduction for employee contributions to the enhanced portion of the Quebec Pension Plan; and
• Advances the rights and interests of consumers when dealing with their banks.