The Government of Canada has announced its intention to fund a project that will improve women’s access to well-paying jobs in Québec’s automotive sector — specifically in the Outaouais region.
Option Femmes Emploi will receive $274,285 for a 36-month project known as Women’s access to the automotive sector. The project aims to help increase women’s economic security by improving the work environment in the auto industry. This in turn is meant to help boost participation and retention.
News of the funding was delivered by Steven MacKinnon, Member of Parliament for Gatineau and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility. It was announced on behalf of Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women.
“Our government knows that when we invest in women, we strengthen the economy for everyone, and that’s why these projects are so important: they are creating the right conditions for women to thrive in their careers — and their lives,” said Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women.
She adds: “By funding organizations like Option Femmes Emploi that work to eliminate the barriers holding women back, we are ensuring that all Canadians — regardless of gender — have a real and fair chance at success.”
Identifying key barriers and issues with women’s recruitment and retention in the auto sector will be one of the main priorities for the organization, Option Femmes Emploi.
An advisory committee will also be established as part of the project, and will include local women, businesses, and community organizations and unions. The committee will ensure a regional action plan is developed so that businesses in the Outaouais region are well-trained on best practices. This in turn is expected to result in more inclusive workplaces in the auto sector.
“Women continue to be disproportionately affected by economic insecurity,” said Status of Women Canada in a news release. “In 2015, women in Canada earned just 87 cents for every dollar earned by men.”
They also make up 76 per cent of all part-time workers, with 25 per cent reporting childcare responsibilities as their main reason.
Taking steps to improve equality for women, such as boosting women’s participation in the workforce, could result in an additional $150 billion to the Canadian economy by 2026, according to McKinsey Global Institute estimates.
