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October 31, 1997
(Executive Council)

Economic Equality Benchmarks released by Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women

Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for the Status of Women concluded their 16th Annual Meeting today. Julie Bettney, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women in Newfoundland and Labrador, was in attendance. At the two-day meeting, ministers released Economic Gender Equality Indicators for the country. The indicators provide a set of benchmarks that reflect the differences between women and men in the areas of income, work, learning and total workload including paid and unpaid work. The report is designed for use by government and other actors in the public policy process to raise awareness of women's and men's realities, stimulate public policy discussion, encourage a search for explanations and responses and monitor change over time. These indicators focus on women's realities that are often overlooked, including income from a variety of sources in addition to earnings; unpaid as well as paid work; and education and job-related training.

On the positive side, the economic gender equality indicators show a narrowing of the gender gaps in earnings and income between 1986 and 1995 across Canada. In Newfoundland and Labrador women's after tax income had increased from 47 to 60 per cent of men's. Women also made inroads into male-dominated educational fields and the chances of female university graduates in Newfoundland and Labrador getting a "good" job improved. Women's share of paid work and men's share of unpaid work increased between 1986 and 1992.

But the report identified that significant gaps remain. Women still have significantly less income than men yet they put in a longer work day. They also receive less employer-sponsored training than men. Ms. Bettney stated: "When all work of economic value is included, Newfoundland and Labrador women work almost an hour more every day than men. This amounts to almost six weeks per year. Closing these gender gaps will require solutions within the labour market as well as in the home."

When comparing Newfoundland and Labrador trends to national trends, we follow similar patterns in most areas. One exception is in the area of job related training where the gender gap grew wider from 1991 to 1993. It cannot be determined from only two years whether this represents a trend. More analysis is being done to identify the reasons for the wider gap.

At the meeting, co-chaired by Hedy Fry, Secretary of State (Status of Women Canada) and Francene Cosman, Status of Women Minister for Nova Scotia, ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to end violence against women and their children, agreeing upon a framework for discussion to guide work at the federal/provincial/territorial level on this issue. They shared innovative strategies undertaken in their jurisdictions and agreed to continue to share new approaches and strategies to advance violence prevention. Ministers also discussed the importance of increased awareness of stalking and appropriate responses. Ministers also endorsed British Columbia's public education project designed in consultation with young women to help them understand their unique financial challenges and actively plan for their own economic security.

They also discussed the possible reform of the provocation defence in the Criminal Code and shared information about other initiatives in their jurisdictions and collaborative approaches to increase women's access to justice.

The next meeting of federal/provincial/territorial ministers is scheduled to be held in Yellowknife in 1998.

Contact: Cindy Christopher, Women's Policy Office, (709) 729-5730.

Photocopies of the Economic Gender Equality Indicators document are available to the media by contacting the above.