The provincial Gender Wage Gap Steering Committee is hosting a series of town halls in twelve communities across the province to contribute to the development of a wage gap strategy. The purpose of the consultations is to:
- Examine how the roles of women at work, in their families, and in their communities are affected by the gender wage gap
- Understand how the gender wage gap specifically affects women in the workforce across the economic spectrum
- Assess ways in which government, business, labour, other organizations, and individual leaders can work together to address the conditions and the systemic barriers that contribute to the wage gap
- Understand other factors that intersect with gender to compound the wage gap, and determine how those factors should be addressed
A large body of evidence illustrates a causal effect between income and health.
As noted in CMHA Ontario’s Pre-Budget Submission in February 2015, income is an important social determinant of health.[1] A large body of evidence illustrates a causal effect between income and health.[2] CMHA Ontario has consistently supported incrementally increasing the minimum wage over five years to 10 per cent above the poverty line, with the recognition that increasing minimum wage is but one tool among many that can be used to narrow the poverty gap.
Eliminating a gender wage gap will advance the principles of equity. CMHA Ontario has been a leading voice on this issue with the publication in May 2014 Advancing Equity in Mental Health in Ontario: Understanding Key Concepts. This discussion paper seeks to increase understanding and dialogue within Ontario’s health system by creating a common language for talking about equity issues in mental health.
Individuals and organizations are encouraged to get involved in the gender wage gap conversation by:
- Attending one of the public town halls across the province
- Reading the consultation document and providing feedback by January 15, 2016
- Submitting ideas using #wagegapON on Twitter
- By email at genderwagegap@ontario.ca
Fax and regular mail options are also available.
For more information, visit the Ministry of Labour website.