Minister Morneau Promotes Budget 2018 Call to Action on Gender Equality in Vancouver

News release

March 6, 2018 – Vancouver, British Columbia – 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.

Today in Vancouver, Finance Minister Bill Morneau spoke to the Business Council of British Columbia at a Facebook Live event 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.

Canada's strong fiscal fundamentals—anchored by a low and consistently declining debt-to-GDP (gross domestic product) ratio—mean that the Government has the confidence to make the investments that will strengthen and grow the middle class, and lay a more solid foundation for our children's future.

Minister Morneau discussed how, 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 management and board positions.
  • A new Gender 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.

Quotes

"As a government, we are committed to help the next generation of Canadians break free from the barriers that have held us back for so long—because we know that we can't continue to grow the middle class when half of us are being held back. To face the challenges of today and tomorrow, we will need the hard work and creativity of all Canadians. In return, we need 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."

Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance

Quick facts

  • Budget 2018 supports Vancouver by proposing:

    • Up to $75 million over five years to Global Affairs Canada to establish a stronger Canadian diplomatic and trade support presence in China and Asia, including bolstering the number of Canadian diplomats and trade commissioners on the ground in China as well as new initiatives to promote Canada's trade with China and other Asian markets.
    • $48 million over three years, starting in 2019–20, in renewed support for the Centre for Drug Research and Development's efforts to translate promising drug discoveries into commercialized health innovations and therapeutic products.
    • $23.6 million over four years to support the Rick Hansen Institute's efforts to achieve breakthroughs in spinal cord injury research and care.

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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

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