Equality Matters newsletter: September 2026
Women are a driving force in Canada’s economy. As workers, entrepreneurs, leaders, caregivers, and innovators, they help strengthen communities, support families, and contribute to economic growth.
But despite important progress, barriers to leadership, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity continue to limit women’s full participation in the Canadian economy.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute to a strong, growing economy. Advancing women’s economic participation not only strengthens Canada’s economy, but it also:
- supports families
- increases financial security
- helps ensure everyone has the opportunity to make choices that shape their future
Studies suggest that closing the gender gap in economic participation could boost Canada’s gross domestic product by $150 billion, strengthening the country’s overall economic health.
In this issue of Equality Matters, we mark Gender Equality Week by highlighting initiatives, resources, and organizations that support women’s economic participation and are helping build a more inclusive future.
Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) is working with partners across the federal government to advance gender equality and support women in the economy by:
- investing in systemic change
Since 2018, Women’s Program-funded projects have supported more than 400,000 women, girls, and gender-diverse people, by helping reduce barriers to employment and education such as unequal pay, limited childcare, discrimination, training gaps, inflexible work arrangements, and lack of mentorship.
- strengthening organizations
Through Budget 2025, WAGE is investing $44.4 million in 218 organizations. This funding will build capacity and deliver projects that advance women’s full participation in Canada’s economic, social, and democratic life.
Mark your calendar: Gender Equality Week is coming soon
From September 20 to 26, 2026, Canada will commemorate Gender Equality Week.
Since 2018, Canada has dedicated the fourth week of September to celebrating the achievements of Canadian women and reaffirm our commitment to closing the gender gaps that still hold too many back.
The week is an opportunity to recognize achievements in gender equality and the women driving progress in our communities.
Apply for funding: Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund
Despite progress in women’s leadership and economic participation, they remain underrepresented in senior leadership roles and in higher-paying sectors, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), skilled trades, and other traditionally male-dominated fields.
Women and Gender Equality Canada launched a new fund to help address these barriers.
Priority will be given to projects that seek to:
- improve women’s access to leadership opportunities
- advance women in STEM, trades, and other traditionally male-dominated fields
- create opportunities for women in an AI-driven economy
Only a few days left to apply!
Deadline: September 15 at 12:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Learn, explore, and take action
Equi’Vision
The Equi’Vision data visualization tool offers easy-to-use, comparable information about workforce representation and pay gaps among federally regulated employers. It helps users see trends in employment equity for women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities across Canada.
A Better World
The changemakers of tomorrow are forged from the conversations we have today. The A Better World interactive activity sends young adventurers (ages 7 to 12) on a storytelling journey that sparks conversations about fairness, inclusion, and gender equality.
Through interactive scenarios about women in leadership, unpaid labour, and the gender pay gap, kids explore how gender equality helps build stronger communities and a more inclusive economy. Perfect for classrooms, youth clubs, or family game night!
Making a difference
Corporation de développement économique communautaire de Québec
Corporation de développement économique communautaire de Québec (CDEC) helps make entrepreneurship more accessible by reducing and eliminating systemic barriers for women and people from diverse backgrounds. They offer tools, training, and personalized support to help organizations make their services, measures, and programs more inclusive.
Yukon Women in Trades and Technology
Yukon Women in Trades and Technology (YWITT) is increasing opportunities for women in trades and technology by working to change who gets to build, fix, and create in the skilled trades. Their Facilitating Leadership, Opportunity and Advocacy in Trades and Technology project partners with industry to increase inclusion, recruitment, and retention of women in trades, especially in leadership.
Exploring the intersections of gender-based violence: Centering the experiences of women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities
Women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities experience gender-based violence (GBV) at disproportionately high rates and often face barriers to accessing safety, support, and justice.
Join WAGE’s Gender-Based Violence Directorate for an engaging presentation from DAWN Canada on the realities of gender-based violence experienced by women, girls, and gender-diverse people with disabilities, promising practices, and the actions needed to build more accessible, inclusive, and survivor-centred responses.
Date: September 29, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET
Did you know
Women in Canada are participating in the workforce at record levels, but they are still underrepresented in leadership roles. Women hold just 36.4% of management positions and fewer than 29% of senior leadership roles.
Looking for a quick way to explain women’s economic participation?
Listen to and share this short explainer on what “women in the economy” means and why it matters.
In case you missed it
- Minister Valdez announced more than $1.4 million to help prevent human trafficking
- Minister Valdez announced an additional $607.4 million to advance the next phase of the National Action Plan to End Gender-based Violence
- Minister Valdez announces federal support for crisis hotlines responding to gender-based violence in Newfoundland and Labrador