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Women make progress but big wage gap remains

Latest report from Statistics Canada reveals that a glaring pay gap still remains between men and women in Canada.

Ottawa – (17 Dec. 2010) – Although the latest report from Statistics Canada on the economic well-being of women in Canada shows some positive gains, it also shows that there is still a glaring gap in pay for Canadian women compared to Canadian men.

More information available at Statistics Canada on Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report

This again reveals that statements by the Harper government that Canadian women have reached equality are simply false.

In its second chapter of its report entitled Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report, Statistics Canada indicates that the average total income for women in Canada increased at almost twice the pace of men’s income between 2000 and 2008.

However, the pay equity gap remains the same. Women earn about 71 cents for each dollar earned by their male counterparts. This gap has remained unchanged since 1999.

Average annual earnings for both genders rose with their education levels but women working full time with a university degree earned about 30% less than men with a university degree. 

The most alarming statistics involve lone-parent mothers. In 2009, lone-parent families headed by a female had the lowest median net worth of any family type in Canada. Their net worth was $14,000 compared to lone-parent fathers whose net worth was $80,000.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE

More information:
Statistics Canada: Women in Canada: A Gender-based Statistical Report
Number of working mothers doubles since 1976