(TORONTO) – On the eve of the Ontario’s first official Equal Pay Day, April 16, unions, community groups and professional women’s organizations are issuing a call to Premier Kathleen Wynne to close Ontario’s gender pay gap for good.
“No more waiting and no more excuses,” said the OFL’s Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Hutchison. “Ontario’s economy has for too long exploited women’s labour and minimized the value of our work. We cannot and will not continue to endure this and are adamant that our daughters and granddaughters be treated equitably in the job market.”
Hutchison called attention to the widening gender pay gap that stands at a walloping 31.5% and notes that without the concrete plan that organizations have been demanding, it will take 52 years to close.
“Not on our watch, it won’t,” notes Hutchison. “We are determined and single-minded about ensuring an end to this systemic injustice. We will, of course, continue to dialogue with the government; however, the scope and consequences of this human rights violation are well known. We need action.” She will bring this message to the 7:30 a.m. meeting of the government’s Closing the Gender Pay Gap roundtable advisory group.
Tomorrow’s April 16 Equal Pay Day events include the following:
- Equal Pay Coalition (EPC) Media Conference, 11:30-11:45 a.m., N.E. corner, University Ave and College St. Toronto
- A mass leafleting will take place 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the same location.
- EPC events also being held in Ottawa, London, Kingston and Windsor as a call to action to get Ontario’s gender pay gap closed for good.
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For further information:
Nancy Hutchison, OFL Secretary-Treasurer, 647-403-9799
Mary Cornish: Equal Pay Coalition, 416-576-3851
Lynn Simmons, OFL Communications Director: 416-578-3230 or lsimmons@ofl-org.flywheelsites.com
