As a result of their deliberations, committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada develop an official definition of poverty, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative measures, to be used across all federal government departments and projects.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, immediately introduce legislation to modify the Canada Labour Code to implement paid leave for victims of intimate partner violence.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada, immediately and on an ongoing basis, invest in programs to address violence against women, in which federal spending is delivered to service providers.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada develop and implement a public education campaign to raise awareness of bias, discrimination, and sexism faced by women in the workforce, with the goal of changing societal attitudes.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada develop and deliver an awareness campaign targeted to employers that is designed to improve awareness of gender-sensitive workplace policies.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories, implement workforce practices that will create equitable working environments, free from harassment and discrimination.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada implement workforce practices in federally regulated workplaces to prevent harassment and discrimination.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories, increase funding for initiatives focused on reducing violence and harassment against women in the workplace.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada study the factors that contribute to the gender wage gap, including – but not limited to – women’s chosen field of work, level of education, the decision between part-time or full-time work, and the use of family benefit programs.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada fund initiatives for employers and employees that: 1) raise awareness of the existence of the gender wage gap; 2) provide training to counter some of the root causes of the gender wage gap, such as the effect of unconscious biases and stereotypes on hiring, salary negotiations and promotion processes; and 3) provide guidance on the implementation of measures to address the gender wage gap, such as the use of internally defined salary bands by businesses.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada table legislation to realize the right to housing in Canada, in accordance with its international obligations, and invest without delay, through the National Housing Strategy, in affordable housing to address the housing affordability crisis.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada, immediately and on an ongoing basis, provide funding for social infrastructure – facilities and services that assist individuals and families to meet their social needs – in order to provide benefits to women who work in and rely on these sectors.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada expand the eligibility requirements of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund to include not-for-profit and non‑governmental community transit organizations, where municipally funded transportation services are not available.

Recommendation 14

That the Government of Canada, immediately and on an ongoing basis, increase investment in public transportation that will ensure affordable, accessible, frequent and safe transit services for women.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada commit to ending the practice of providing stipends for individuals living with disabilities to perform work, which has the effect of compensating these individuals at a lower rate than the minimum wage established in each province and territory, and to creating meaningful employment and opportunities for individuals living with disabilities.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada end the practice of unpaid internships in the federally regulated sector, and that it replace any existing unpaid internship placements under its jurisdiction with paid internship opportunities.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada develop a mechanism to: 1) assess the quality and success of federally funded projects; and 2) enable the extension of funding for projects that are deemed to be successful.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada, immediately and on an ongoing basis, provide secure multi-year operational funding to women’s organizations and front-line community groups to ensure they can meet the growing demand for services.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada, in the Canada Social Transfer, earmark funds for civil legal aid to ensure that women have access to justice in all jurisdictions, with a particular focus on legal aid for female survivors of violence, Indigenous women and women living with disabilities.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, ensure that the Legal Aid Program is responding to the demands of economically vulnerable persons for legal aid.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada consider changing the non-refundable Family Caregiver Tax Credit into a non-taxable Family Caregiver Benefit.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories, increase financial support to community organizations and community-based projects that provide services to adults living with disabilities and their families.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada support the continuation of the Indigenous Friendship Centre Program to facilitate Indigenous women’s equitable participation in the Canadian economy.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada provide funding for employment programs and services geared specifically to Indigenous women.

Recommendation 25

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with Indigenous peoples and communities, study and seek to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Indigenous population, with specific attention paid to: 1) improving access to quality health services, including mental health services; 2) increasing educational opportunities at both the secondary and post-secondary level; and 3) improving Indigenous women’s economic participation and economic security.

Recommendation 26

That the Government of Canada, when renewing all departmental programs and funding streams focused on the economic well-being of Indigenous peoples and communities, use evidence-based policy development approaches that incorporate information on urban Indigenous populations; approaches that demonstrate success in service delivery; and ensure the equitable delivery of services for all Indigenous people.

Recommendation 27

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with Indigenous peoples and communities and in collaboration with the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, fund Aboriginal Financial Institutions to provide training on financial literacy, financial management, and how to start a business, and that this training be offered to Indigenous peoples, regardless of where they live.

Recommendation 28

That the Government of Canada consider the distinctive context of rural and remote communities when implementing policies and programs, with the goal of responding to the unique challenges faced by women living in these communities.

Recommendation 29

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, and in consultation with relevant not-for-profit organizations, increase its funding to subsidized language training, including accompanying childcare services, for immigrant and refugee women.

Recommendation 30

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, and in consultation with relevant not-for-profit organizations, examine the best practices in place in other Canadian jurisdictions, in order to implement customized programs for the integration of economic class immigrants, and that these programs respond to the needs of women in every region where resettlement services are already offered.

Recommendation 31

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, and in consultation with not-for-profit organizations, and in response to the Auditor General of Canada’s Fall 2017 report on Settlement Services for Syrian Refugees, improve its planning and approval processes to ensure the timely transfer of funding to service providers to manage wait-lists for its language-learning programs, and eliminate barriers that impede access to available services for newly arrived immigrant and refugee women.

Recommendation 32

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the province and territories, and in consultation with professional organizations, review the barriers to the assessment and recognition of foreign and domestic academic and occupational credentials, with the goal of increasing the rate of recognition of equivalent qualifications across Canadian jurisdictions.

Recommendation 33

That the Government of Canada reaffirm its commitment to the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications and strengthen the Foreign Credentials Referral Office, with the goal of improving access to high-quality employment opportunities for recent immigrants.

Recommendation 34

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, work to design disability support programs that strengthen the relationship of a person living with a disability to the labour market.

Recommendation 35

That the Government of Canada develop and fund a program to provide small- and medium-sized enterprises with financial support to 1) install physical infrastructure to increase accessibility in the workplace for employees living with disabilities; and 2) develop and implement workplace policies and practices designed to accommodate employees living with disabilities.7

Recommendation 36

That the Government of Canada provide funding to community organizations to support programs that work to increase employment rates among women living with disabilities.

Recommendation 37

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, ensure that all childcare investments are accompanied by reporting mechanisms and indicators for long-term data collection that will provide all levels of government with appropriate forecasting and analysis tools to improve childcare services, with the goal of achieving high-quality, universal, accessible, flexible, affordable and inclusive childcare.

Recommendation 38

That the Government of Canada, when investing in childcare, recognize the specific and unique needs of: children in rural, remote, northern and urban communities; children from low-income families; children from single-parent families; children of different cultural backgrounds, including new immigrants; children with different abilities; and Indigenous children.

Recommendation 39

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, provide childcare options, including care in the home, for parents working irregular hours and shift work.

Recommendation 40

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, collect national data about the availability of subsidized childcare on post-secondary education institutions’ campuses.

Recommendation 41

That the Government of Canada apply gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) to the federal Employment Insurance program and update any Employment Insurance requirements to improve access for precarious, seasonal, and low‑wage workers.

Recommendation 42

That the Government of Canada immediately establish, in the federal jurisdiction, dedicated parental leave for the second parent in the style of “use it or lose it” in order to encourage the sharing between parents of care responsibilities and leave from the workplace.

Recommendation 43

That the Government of Canada examine domestic and international parental leave best practices, with the goal of promoting the equitable sharing of child‑rearing responsibilities between men and women and increasing men’s participation in childcare.

Recommendation 44

That the Government of Canada adopt all of the recommendations found in the 2016 House of Commons Special Committee on the Pay Equity report entitled It’s Time to Act.

Recommendation 45

That the Government of Canada request that at the next meeting of Canada’s Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for labour, the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour urge all jurisdictions to consider implementing proactive pay equity legislation.

Recommendation 46

That the Government of Canada immediately implement proactive federal pay equity legislation and that the implementation of this legislation be appropriately funded.

Recommendation 47

That the Government of Canada conduct a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) of federal grant and loan programs available to post-secondary students, including the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students, the Canada Student Loans, and the Repayment Assistance Plan.

Recommendation 48

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, examine the possibility of introducing a national universal basic income.

Recommendation 49

That the Government of Canada raise awareness among Canadians of the eligibility requirements and the benefits available with the Working Income Tax Benefit.

Recommendation 50

That the Government of Canada amend the Working Income Tax Benefit eligibility in a way that the tax benefit is awarded and income is assessed based on the individual, rather than a couple or household.

Recommendation 51

That the Government of Canada immediately include or expand the caregiving and disability drop-out provisions in the Canada Pension Plan.

Recommendation 52

That the Government of Canada, recognizing that unpaid work is disproportionately undertaken by women, 1) examine international best practices in the collection of data on unpaid work; and 2) include a question in the 2021 long form census on the allocation of time for household activities, with the goal of measuring unpaid work.

Recommendation 53

That the Government of Canada implement gender equity provisions in the terms and conditions for all projects and programs that receive federal funding; and that if the evaluation of these projects deems the equity provisions inadequate, or to include bias, discrimination, or sexism towards women, then funding may be suspended or removed until a minimum standard of gender equity is achieved.

Recommendation 54

That the Government of Canada, recognizing the importance of applying gender-based analysis plus (GBA+), maintain its commitment to conducting GBA+ assessments on all programs and policy decisions taken by federal government departments.

Recommendation 55

That the Government of Canada conduct gender-responsive budgeting to ensure that the needs of diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people are reflected in the government’s fiscal, social and economic policies.

Recommendation 56

That the Government of Canada, in the development of its Poverty Reduction Strategy, apply a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+), employ a human rights-based approach, and include a focus on responding to the needs of marginalized groups.

Recommendation 57

That the Government of Canada, in partnership with civil society, the private sector and labour organizations, work to implement flexible and family-friendly work arrangements designed to recruit, retain and advance women in the workplace.

Recommendation 58

That the Government of Canada repeal changes to the Federal Contractors Program made in 2013, and examine ways to improve the Legislated Employment Equity Program.

Recommendation 59

That the Government of Canada fund initiatives that raise awareness among girls and young women of the opportunities presented by all career paths, including in traditionally male-dominated professions, with the goal of ensuring that all economic opportunities are available to them.

Recommendation 60

That the Government of Canada implement gender equity provisions in future international trade agreements.

Recommendation 61

That the Government of Canada, when setting priorities for Canada Summer Job allocations, include as one priority the promotion of jobs for young women in traditionally male‑dominated fields.

Recommendation 62

That the Government of Canada decline to support conferences and events both nationally and internationally that do not include women on panels and as speakers and experts.

Recommendation 63

That the Government of Canada create a task force, in partnership with relevant private sector stakeholders, to develop and share best business practices and resources designed to advance women’s careers in their chosen fields, with a particular focus on the advancement and retention of women in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Recommendation 64

That the Government of Canada conduct research on the reasons and possible solutions for women’s under-representation in the skilled trades and in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

Recommendation 65

That the Government of Canada fund and support projects that provide education and immersive experiences for women and girls in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as the skilled trades and science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

Recommendation 66

That the Government of Canada establish a coordinated national approach to support female entrepreneurs through dedicated funds to local organizations that fill gaps of economic and entrepreneurial development and increase access to centralized knowledge hubs.

Recommendation 67

That the Government of Canada work with the Business Development Bank of Canada to highlight to private venture capital firms the benefits of investing in female entrepreneurship.

Recommendation 68

That the Government of Canada apply a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) to the recipients of federal grants and loans for entrepreneurs to ensure that all genders benefit equally from this financial support.

Recommendation 69

That the Government of Canada fund and promote initiatives that deliver networking and mentorship opportunities to female entrepreneurs.

Recommendation 70

The Government of Canada, in consultation with the provinces and territories, ensure that infrastructure projects funded by the federal government include provisions that require companies working on projects to seek to achieve and maintain a workforce that is representative of the Canadian workforce, including members of the four designated groups – women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities – under the Employment Equity Act.

Recommendation 71

That the Government of Canada collaborate with Crown corporations to invest in women’s entrepreneurship, including in programs for female entrepreneurs living in rural and remote communities.

Recommendation 72

That the Government of Canada ensure that Crown corporations apply gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) to any procurement policies and contracts.

Recommendation 73

That the Government of Canada encourage the provinces and territories, as well as municipalities and local governments, to apply gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) to all infrastructure projects.

Recommendation 74

That the Government of Canada ensure that gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) is applied to each Request for Proposal developed by federal government departments.

Recommendation 75

That the Government of Canada eliminate the barriers facing female-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises when bidding on federally issued procurement projects, including altering the design and criteria of contracts to increase bidding access for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Recommendation 76

That the Government of Canada support female researchers and academics by increasing funding opportunities in traditionally female-dominated disciplines.

Recommendation 77

That the Government of Canada recognize the importance of empowering female researchers and academics, and increase access to research funding for emerging and established female researchers and academics in traditionally male-dominated disciplines.

Recommendation 78

That the Government of Canada conduct a gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) of all federal government research programs, including the Canada Research Chairs Program and the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program, and implement solutions to address any under-representation among chairholders of four designated groups: women, persons living with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and members of visible minorities.

Recommendation 79

That the Government of Canada examine the reasons and possible solutions to women’s under-representation in senior management positions.

Recommendation 80

That the Government of Canada gather data and evidence of the financial benefits of having a gender-diverse board of directors, and disseminate this data and evidence to private sector companies.

Recommendation 81

That the Government of Canada take the following actions: 1) measure on an annual basis the effectiveness of the comply or explain model outlined in the Act to amend the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Cooperatives Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and the Competition Act in increasing women’s representation on corporate boards in Canada; 2) make any data collected through this process publicly available; 3) conduct a review three years after the passage of the Act to determine whether the comply or explain model has been successful; and 4) consider implementing, if the model is deemed to be unsuccessful, alternative measures to increase women’s representation on corporate boards based on international best practices, including both quotas and targets.

Recommendation 82

That the Government of Canada increase investments in organizations and programs that champion the advancement of women in all workplaces through greater access to networking, mentorship and training.

Recommendation 83

That the Government of Canada, in consultation with the private sector, develop initiatives designed to increase the mentoring, sponsoring and championing of women in the workplace.

Recommendation 84

That the Government of Canada work with the provinces and territories as well as private sector stakeholders to encourage male leaders to sponsor and mentor women in the workplace.

Recommendation 85

That the Government of Canada continue to support and fund community organizations that are leading public education campaigns that address “toxic masculinity,” that counter the negative myths associated with gender norms, that refute gender stereotypes within the post-secondary education sector and labour force, and that promote gender equality, and that the Government of Canada issue a call for proposals for projects that seek to engage men and boys as allies in the fight for gender equality.

Recommendation 86

That the Government of Canada study international best practices to engage male civil society leaders to advocate on behalf of gender equality.