The Government of Canada is committed to advancing gender equality and it recognizes the important role that creating more opportunities for women can play in promoting women’s empowerment in all aspects of Canadian life.

“These projects are so important: they are creating the right conditions for women to thrive in their careers – and their lives. By funding organizations in northern British Columbia that work to eliminate the barriers holding women back, we are ensuring that all Canadians – regardless of gender – have a real and fair chance at success. Our government knows that when we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone.”

The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P.
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality

“We believe that increasing Indigenous women’s involvement in northern British Columbia’s economy demands innovative thinking and research. The Government of Canada’s support will allow us to refine our assessments, workshops and models of best practices, and to continue establishing working partnerships.”

Vince Prince, Executive Director
Prince George Aboriginal Business Development Association

“We are doing exciting work with private sector partners to help women overcome systemic and institutional barriers. Forging effective partnerships helps us realize a shared strategic vision to ensure that women play vital and indispensable leadership roles in food processing today and in the future. Positive instrumental change does not happen easily, which is why we are grateful for the support from the Government of Canada.”

Candice Applyby, Executive Director
Small Scale Food Processor Association

“Canadian women continue to face inequities in both wages and leadership opportunities. Decreasing the gender gap will include more diverse voices and that leads to better results for everyone. Canada urgently needs to address gender inequities that hold back all people from reaching their full potentials. There is a particular urgency in rural remote areas where there are barriers to women’s participation in the economy and civic life. Government of Canada support will bolster our services to women. We work towards safe and productive communities through improving the lives of women.”

Rosemary Craig, Executive Director
Terrace Women’s Resource Centre Society

• McKinsey Global Institute estimates that by taking steps to advance equality for women—such as employing more women in technology and boosting women’s participation in the workforce—Canada could add $150 billion to its economy by 2026.

•  Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity. When comparing median hourly wages of women and men aged 15 years and over working full-time in Canada in 2018, women earned just 88 cents for every dollar earned by men. Women of core working age (25-54 years) are also much more likely to work on a part-time basis, making up 75% of all part-time workers in that age bracket in 2018. Just over one-quarter (27%) of women of core working age working part-time reported childcare responsibilities as their reason for working part-time in 2018.

• Economic security is composed of basic social security, defined by access to basic needs such as health, education and housing.

• Budget 2018 announced $100 million over five years to support a viable and sustainable women’s movement across Canada. Adding to this historic investment, Budget 2019 invests a further $160 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, in Women and Gender Equality Canada’s Women’s Program. This means that in 2023–24, the Women’s Program, which supports eligible organizations to carry out projects to advance equality by addressing systemic barriers, will total $100 million.

• This funding will enable women’s organizations and Indigenous organizations serving women to tackle systemic barriers impeding women’s progress, while recognizing and addressing the diverse experiences of gender and inequality across the country.

Related products

• Backgrounder

Associated links

• Prince George Aboriginal Business Development Association
• Small Scale Food Processor Association
• Terrace Women’s Resource Centre Society
• Addressing the Economic Security and Prosperity of Indigenous Women
• Capacity-building Fund
• Support for Women’s Economic Security
• Women and Gender Equality Canada – Women’s Program

Braeson Holland
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister for Women and Gender Equality
343-549-8825

Valérie Haché
Senior Communications Advisor
Women and Gender Equality Canada
819-420-6884