By: Surjit Singh Flora
It is the time designated for recognizing and promoting gender equality. Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic, emphasized the importance of recognizing women’s achievements and leadership, highlighting their significant contributions to our province’s economy, culture, and history. It is crucial to recognize that women and girls still encounter significant obstacles in realizing their full potential, especially those who are Indigenous, Black, and racialized, as well as individuals from 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, immigrant women, and women with disabilities.
This year’s theme, ‘Unlocking Potential: Economic Power Through Gender Equality’, highlights the critical connection between fostering a just society and the prosperity of our communities. It underscores the importance of gender equality in enhancing Ontario’s economy and ultimately benefiting everyone.
In order to equip the next generation of women for success, we have revised the school curriculum to enhance opportunities in STEM, skilled trades, and apprenticeship pathways. This initiative aims to ensure that more girls and young women can pursue in-demand and lucrative careers, particularly in fields where they have historically been underrepresented.
Every Canadian has the right to equality, equal opportunity, fair treatment, and an environment free from discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, marital status, and family status, according to the Canadian Human Rights Act of 1977.
Canada has taken significant steps through various laws and policies to advance gender equality. The Canadian Human Rights Act stands as a crucial safeguard against discrimination on the basis of gender, championing the principle of equal opportunities for every individual. The Employment Equity Act mandates that federal employers take decisive action to remove the obstacles that hinder the employment of women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities.
2018 saw the enactment of the Gender Equality Week Act, which designated the fourth week of September as a time to draw attention to gender issues and celebrate advancements in the fight for gender equality.
The Canadian government has made women’s economic empowerment a key focus in its pursuit of gender equality. In 2018, the Canadian government introduced the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) with a substantial investment of $2 billion over a five-year period. WES is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by enhancing their access to essential resources such as financing, mentorship, and training programs.
Introduced in 2018, the Pay Equity Act aims to ensure that women receive equal compensation for work of comparable value. This legislation mandates that employers, under federal regulation, create pay equity plans to address wage disparities between job classes predominantly held by men and those predominantly held by women.
Canada has taken significant steps to tackle gender-based violence and provide essential support for survivors. The National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, initiated in 2019, aims to prevent trafficking, safeguard victims, and hold offenders accountable. It is commendable that the government has made investments in shelters and support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence initiative, launched in 2017, aims to unify efforts across various sectors and enhance support for survivors.
Nonetheless, the persistence of violence and discrimination against women continues to be a deeply concerning issue in our society. Merely expressing words and engaging in grassroots actions will not suffice to stop these atrocities. However, one sector stands out as having the potential to drive significant transformation: the business enterprises and family-owned businesses in Canada.
Business families play a pivotal role in driving social change, functioning as powerful social entities and important economic players. Women own only 17% of small and medium-sized businesses in Canada, which presents a significant opportunity for them to influence the corporate landscape and challenge prevailing social norms. It has the power to change fundamentally.
The impact of women taking on leadership roles in these families extends far beyond the boardroom. Women in lending roles have achieved remarkable financial accomplishments.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Sherry Brydson is Canada’s wealthiest woman at $18.7 billion. Brydson, from British Columbia, is the biggest shareholder of Woodbridge, which manages Thomson Reuters. She made her fortune in media and telecom. It’s important to recognize their gender-neutral atmosphere as a model for other businesses.
These women are engaged leaders who recognize their role in creating a culture of safety and respect. Female leadership influences The growth of women in leadership roles is a major social change. Their confidence and decision-making abilities are challenging, redefining gender roles in discussions for future generations. Conservative beliefs are essentially faulty. This perspective urges us to rethink our behavior in a male-dominated setting.
Family businesses embody a microcosm of the larger societal landscape. Discrimination based on gender within a family business often reflects the pervasive blame ingrained in our societal framework. When family businesses call for change, it often uncovers the deeper systemic issues that plague our social framework.
It is imperative for families to take the lead. Family businesses must take a leading role in championing gender equality and ensuring the safety of women. Research shows that although societal and broader conditions may present hurdles to achieving gender equality, families that embrace a growth mindset are capable of overcoming these challenges. Support the women in your household.
It is essential to ensure that your business not only transitions smoothly across generations but also plays a pivotal role in empowering women, fostering strength and security in their daughters.
