Introduction (excerpt)
Although there has been a significant entry of women into the labour force over the past few decades, women continue to face difficulties to accede to certain occupations. Moreover, the occupational groups which are predominantly female are less well paid than those which are predominantly male. The Standing Committee on the Status of Women (hereinafter the Committee) set out to study the reasons why women continue to be underrepresented in certain jobs, and to explore with a wide range of witnesses from across Canada solutions which could increase the participation of women in non-traditional jobs.
Between October 2009 and April 2010, the Committee heard from over forty witnesses representing employers, professional associations, educational institutions, women’s groups, and labour groups from all regions of the country. Witnesses covered a wide range of occupational groups, including the skilled trades, science and engineering, health care, and primary sector occupations such as mining. Over the course of the eleven meetings the Committee held on this question, the Committee had the privilege of hearing from a number of exceptional women who were passionate about the work they do. They described fulfilling, exciting careers which allowed them to do the things they love to do.
They expressed an optimism that their lines of work provided wonderful opportunities for women; that it was possible to introduce changes to make these occupations more accessible to women; and that such changes would benefit all employees in their places of work.
