Minister Morneau Brings Budget 2018 Call to Action on Gender Equality in Montreal
News release
March 2, 2018 – Montreal, Quebec – Department of Finance Canada
The Government of Canada is building on its successful long-term plan that focuses on people and the things that matter most to them, leading to a stronger economy and more opportunities for the middle class. With a strong and growing economy in place, now is the right time to ensure that all Canadians can contribute to, and share in, Canada’s prosperity. This means breaking down barriers to gender equality, so that women and girls can participate in, and contribute to, Canada’s success.
Today, Finance Minister Bill Morneau spoke at an event hosted by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations in Montreal to highlight 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.
Encouraging the full participation of Canadians in the economy also means investing in people so they can succeed. To this end, Budget 2018 introduces the Canada Workers Benefit, to encourage more people to join the workforce and put more money in the pockets of low-income workers. Building on the former Working Income Tax Benefit, the new Canada Workers Benefit will offer real help to more than two million Canadians who are working hard to join the middle class, raising more than 70,000 Canadians out of poverty.
Through Budget 2018, the federal Government is leading by example in promoting gender equality by proposing:
- Proactive pay equity legislation and pay transparency in federally regulated sectors.
- A new Gender Equality Results Framework to support equal opportunity for all Canadians, backed by new investments to achieve 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.
- To support the advancement of women in senior positions by publicly recognizing corporations that are committed to promoting women to senior management and board positions.
Quotes
“Providing all Canadians with the opportunity to realize their full potential is not only the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. Our future prosperity depends on every Canadian having the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from a growing economy. We are stronger together. Equality means more prosperity. But the Government can’t achieve gender parity on its own. Business leaders must also do their part. It is the time to empower women and encourage their participation in the economy. It is key to spur economic growth, increase profits, bring greater diversity and more innovation.”
- Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance
Quick facts
-
Budget 2018 supports Montreal and the province of Quebec by proposing:
- $616 million over five years for the ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of the federally-owned bridges and other transportation infrastructure in the Montreal area
- $99 million over five years to the Canada Economic Development Agency for Quebec Regions to support the federal Innovation and Skills Plan. Of that sum, $22 million will support women entrepreneurs
- $400 million over 10 years to support an Inuit-led housing plan in the Inuit regions of Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Inuvialuit
- $8.0 million over 3 years to support the continued in-depth assessment of VIA Rail’s high-frequency rail proposal for the Toronto-Quebec City corridor.
- $11.3 million for the renewal of the Remote Passenger Rail Program, which supports passenger rail services between Sept-Îles and
-
Major transfers to Quebec will total $23.7 billion in 2018-19, an increase of $1 billion from the previous year:
- $11.7 billion through Equalization, an increase of $651.5 million from the previous year;
- $8.8 billion through the Canada Health Transfer, an increase of $295.3 million from the previous year; and
- $3.2 billion through the Canada Social Transfer, an increase of $82.4 million from the previous year.
Related products
Contacts
Media may contact:
Chloé Luciani-Girouard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
chloe.luciani-girouard@canada.ca
613-462-5469
Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
fin.media-media.fin@canada.ca
613-369-4000
General Enquiries
Phone: 613-369-3710
Facsimile: 613-369-4065
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: fin.financepublic-financepublique.fin@canada.ca
Page details
- Date modified: