October 2, 2014 – Cambridge, ON – Status of Women Canada
“The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, spoke today about the importance of promoting the increased participation of women in all areas of the economy, including the mining sector.
The Minister made her remarks during the 2014 Northwind Mining Invitational Forum, which took place on the second day of Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month celebrates the role of women and girls in shaping our country’s history and quality of life. This year, the theme of Women’s History Month – Canadian Business Women: A Growing Economic Force – recognizes the important contributions of women in business.
In her remarks, Minister Leitch described the Government of Canada’s commitment to increase the participation of women on corporate boards. Referring to the recently released report by the federal Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards, Minister Leitch urged business leaders to aspire to seeing women attain 30% of all board positions over the next five years.
Minister Leitch also highlighted the measures put in place by the Government of Canada to encourage women to join a number of growing sectors of the economy, such as mining. For example, through Status of Women Canada, the federal government has provided over $12 million for community-based projects that support women in skilled trades and technical professions.”
Quick facts
- Women represent nearly half the Canadian workforce, yet only 15.9% of corporate board positions at FP500 companies are held by women in Canada today. Nearly 40% of FP500 companies and close to half of publicly traded companies have no women on their boards.
- While women have made gains in some non-traditional fields, they continue to have low representation in the skilled trades and other traditionally male-dominated professions. For example, in 2012, women held just 11.8% of construction jobs, 19% of forestry, fishing, mining, oil, and gas jobs, and 30.5% of agricultural jobs.
- Since 2007, the Government of Canada has provided over $146 million through Status of Women Canada for community-based projects. Federal funding of community-based projects through Status of Women Canada has nearly doubled since 2006-2007, supporting more than 720 projects across Canada.
- Since 2007, the Government of Canada has delivered more than $54 million through the Women’s Program at Status of Women Canada for projects that promote women’s economic security and prosperity.
Quote
“Our Government is supporting women by creating jobs and opportunities that position them for even greater prosperity. All across the country, we have been funding community-based projects that encourage the full participation of women in all sectors of the economy, including the mining sector. We know that when women succeed, the whole country prospers.”
– The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
Related Products
- Report by the Government of Canada’s Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards
- Call for Proposals: Opening Doors: Economic Opportunities for Women
Additional Links
- Information about Women’s History Month
- Information About Status of Women Canada at women.gc.ca
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Photos of Minister Leitch are available.
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For media inquiries only:
Andrew McGrath
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
Tel: 819-953-5646
andrew.mcgrath@labour-travail.gc.ca
For all other inquiries:
Nanci-Jean Waugh
Director General, Communications and Public Affairs
Status of Women Canada
Tel: 819-420-6810
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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.
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