Women must not continue to get left behind—End the Gender Pay Gap

April 12, 2022 is Equal Pay Day. In 2021, the average woman living in Ontario earned 32 per cent less than what the average man earned—even before COVID-19.

On Equal Pay Day, OSSTF/FEESO members are encouraged to #ShowUpForWomen by taking action, join the Ontario Equal Pay Coalition campaign, and end the pay gap in Ontario.

Now more than ever we must fight for economic equality. The global pandemic has exacerbated existing inequities and spotlighted the essential nature of women’s work in all areas of employment, especially in healthcare, education, and all other public services.

Reopening the economy in the same old way, and relying on the same old policies will not close the gender pay gap. After two years of COVID-19, any Ontario government plan must directly address the pandemic’s disproportionate and unique impacts on those who identify as women and female-dominated industries—including education; and support the key role women play in a healthy and prosperous society.

Members can learn more about Equal Pay Day and use their 2022 Action Kit to join the fight. Together let’s put end to the gender pay gap in Ontario. Call on Ontario’s political parties and candidates to implement the Ontario Equal Pay Coalition’s five demands to support Ontario women’s economic equality:

• Raising the minimum wage to a living wage
• Mandating paid sick days for workers
• Implementing the Pay Transparency Act
• Establishing affordable, accessible public childcare with decent wages and conditions for childcare workers
• Rebuilding the economy by funding public services and providing health, community & social services, and education workers with decent wages and working conditions