Minister Leitch and Secretary Perez discussed paid leave and the advancement of women in the workplace
GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 8, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, discussed bilateral labour issues with her American counterpart, the Honorable Tom Perez, United States Secretary of Labor, during his first official visit to Canada.
Secretary Perez expressed an interest in paid leave as a means of boosting labour market participation and wished to learn about Canada's approach to it from Minister Leitch.
The meeting also gave Minister Leitch the opportunity to talk about her priorities as Minister of Status of Women. The two Cabinet members discussed their efforts to support the economic advancement of women in their respective countries.
Quick Facts
- Thomas Perez was sworn in as Secretary of Labor on July 23, 2013, and most recently worked as assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Canada's paid leave provisions are addressed federally under Part III of the Canada Labour Code (CLC) and through Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. Bereavement leave and annual vacation are covered under the CLC, and EI income replacement benefits are accessible for other statutory leaves.
- Over the past three decades, women's participation in the Canadian workforce has more than doubled to nearly 48 percent, yet they remain under-represented in sectors such as skilled trades and science and technology.
Quote
"It was a great pleasure to share Canada's labour market experiences that boost employment opportunities and create fair, safe and productive workplaces, particularly what we have done to boost the participation and advancement of women. Secretary Perez and I have much in common in our visions for our respective countries."
– The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
Associated Links
Labour Program
U.S. Department of Labor
SOURCE: Employment and Social Development Canada
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, 819-953-5646, [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]
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