Minister of Status of Women advancing gender equality on the international stage

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE, Dec. 2, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women, wrapped up her participation in the international Women's Forum for the Economy and Society in Deauville, France. Participating in this gathering of business, government, and community leaders, allowed the Minister to exchange ideas and best practices for empowering women economically, while highlighting actions taken by Canada to advance gender equality.

At the Women's Forum, Canada reiterated its renewed leadership and commitment to gender equality at home and abroad. During the Forum, Minister Hajdu participated in a number of panel discussions where she highlighted the extraordinary potential of Canadian women, the work that remains to be done to remove barriers to women's success and to close the gender wage gap in Canada.

The Minister also participated in a working session with CEOs who are champions of women's advancement, met with Monika Queisser, Head of the Social Policy Division for the OECD, and participated in discussions  with a number of business leaders, including Muhtar Kent, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Coca-Cola Company, to discuss innovative ways of supporting women's economic advancement.

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"Economic and social progress for women is always possible. This progress is a result of the hard work of women determined to overcome barriers to success, and the dedication of leaders who are committed to empowering women. The Women's Forum was a valuable opportunity to highlight actions Canada is taking to move our country closer to equality, and to discuss innovative ideas for accelerating these changes with community, business and government leaders from around the world."

The Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Status of Women

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada has put in place an Action Plan to enhance the implementation of Gender-based Analysis that will ensure decisions about federal policies, programs, and legislation advance gender equality.
• The Government of Canada has established a new merit-based, open, and transparent approach to select high-quality candidates for some 4,000 Governor in Council and Ministerial appointments on commissions, boards, Crown corporations, agencies, and tribunals across the country with gender diversity as a key goal.
• The federal government has introduced legislation to modernize Canada's federal corporate governance framework laws. This includes a provision that supports diversity using the 'comply or explain' approach. Affected companies will be required to identify the gender composition of their boards and senior management, and to disclose their diversity policies or explain why none are in place.
• On November 1, 2016, the Minister of Finance indicated that the government will submit Budget 2017 and all future budgets to more rigorous analysis by completing and publishing a Gender-based analysis of budgetary measures.
• On November 9, 2016, BDC Capital, the investment arm of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) announced it is injecting $50 million into women led technology firms as part of its efforts to support women entrepreneurs. $40 million will be used to create a new program for women-led tech firms and $10 million will support regional initiatives beginning with the MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund to form a new women's pre-seed and seed fund and increase depth of network and resources for women founders.

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For news releases and information on Status of Women Canada, go to women.gc.ca.

SOURCE Status of Women Canada

Matt Pascuzzo, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 613-291-5561; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, Tel: [phone]