About 500 people took to Montreal streets Sunday afternoon on International Women's Day to make their voices heard on a range of issues including environmental concerns, the provincial austerity program and wage inequality.
Coinciding with the occasion, the provincial Quebec Pay Equity Commission said that it plans to fine employers from $1,000 to $45,000 if they are unable to demonstrate fair pay for female employees.
Employers who failed to complete a 2010 Quebec Pay Equity Commission report, or who demonstrated uneven pay for women in the report, will receive a letter giving them 15 days to offer proof that fair wages are being paid to female employees.
If the commission is not satisfied, the employer could be targeted with the fines. Commission president Marie Rinfret said that no employer will be immune from inspection.
Women also participated in a march held one day earlier in Montreal, which aimed to shine light on ongoing unfairness towards women cuased by provincial austerity policies.
One study by the Iris institute found a growing gap between women and men, noting that provincial stimulus spending benefited male-dominated industries, while such female-dominated industries as health and education were more prone to government cuts.
Meanwhile a newly-released poll issued on International Women’s Day revealed that only 47 percent of women report that they have attained a balance between their professional and private lives. Only 31 said that their family gives them enough support to help them succeed in their careers. About 68 percent of the women surveyed credited their employers for allowing them ways to balance home and work lives. The poll was conducted by Pollara for BMO Financial Group.
-With a file from The Canadian Press
