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

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.