Women aged 25 to 54 achieved record 85.1 per cent labour force participation in 2024 but still earn only 87 cents for every dollar earned by men, federal ministers said Wednesday on International Equal Pay Day.
The wage gap widens for Black, Indigenous and racialized women, according to a joint statement from the Ministers of Jobs and Families, Women and Gender Equality, and the Secretary of State for Labour.
The persistent pay gap reduces lifetime earnings not only for individual women but also for their families, the ministers said in their Sept. 18 statement.
“Closing the gap is not just about fairness—it is about making sure Canada does not leave potential on the table,” they said.
Government launches transparency website
The federal government launched Equi’Vision, a public website that tracks pay gaps and representation rates for women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities in federally regulated workplaces, according to the ministers.
The Pay Equity Act requires federally regulated employers to review their compensation practices and address identified gaps. The Canada Labour Code mandates these employers pay at least minimum wage to all workers.
Airline sector probe addresses unpaid work allegations
The government has launched a probe into alleged unpaid work and unfair conditions in the airline sector after receiving industry complaints, the ministers said. The investigation will hear from employer and employee representatives.
“Flight attendants play a critical role in keeping Canadian passengers and airline crew safe as they travel; they deserve to be compensated for the work they do,” according to the statement.
Funding targets economic barriers
More than 300 organizations received support through the Women’s Capacity Fund and Women’s Economic and Leadership Opportunities Fund to address wage gap root causes, the ministers said. The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy helped over 400,000 women start or grow businesses.
The ministers described pay transparency as “a powerful tool for change” in creating fairer workplaces and strengthening Canada’s economy.
