September 18, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Human Rights Commission
In honour of International Equal Pay Day, Lori Straznicky, Federal Pay Equity Commissioner, issues the following statement:
Today, on International Equal Pay Day, we are calling on all business leaders in Canada to be pay equity champions and to continue to take the necessary action towards closing the gender pay gap. Federally regulated employers were required to post their first pay equity plan on September 3, 2024, and we are encouraged to see organizations demonstrating their commitment to pay equity.
Now, we must all maintain the momentum and turn plans into action, and commitments into lasting change.
Equal pay for work of equal value is a human right. When workers are paid in line with this right, big things happen. Organizations committed to pay equity are correcting a systemic problem and contributing to financial gains for Canadian women, and those in traditionally under-valued roles. The ripple effects are far reaching — impacting people’s lives, transforming our workplaces and improving the health of our economy.
By closing the gender pay gap, Canadian employers will also ensure that groups who have been historically marginalized are given equal footing from which to build a life and thrive. For racialized and Indigenous women, newcomer women, women with disabilities, those who belong to 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, and single mothers — the gains from achieving pay equity will continue into the future.
That is why closing the gender wage gap is crucial to building a stronger Canada. Pay equity for all is within our grasp. But to realize this goal, we are relying on all business leaders in Canada to recognize the inherent value for all in closing the wage gap, and to do what is necessary to turn this into a reality in Canada.
Together, we can make sure that future generations of Canadian workers will be paid fairly.
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