Mr. Speaker, today is Equal Pay Day in Ontario, a time to highlight that women generally earn less than men, that reduced pay hurts families and the economy, that solutions are needed to end the gender wage gap, and that we need Equal Pay Day in Canada.
Canadian women have been fighting for pay equity for 100 years, yet the gap in income between men and women still remains at 19%. According to The Conference Board of Canada, Canada ties with the United States for the 11th spot out of 17 peer countries and earns a C grade. A Royal Bank of Canada report estimates the lost income potential of Canadian women due to the wage gap at $126 billion annually.
It is time that the full value of women's skills and contribution to the labour force is recognized, the injustice of wage discrimination is acknowledged and efforts are made to achieve equal pay.