Introduction

Although there has been a significant entry of women into the labour force over the past few decades, women continue to face difficulties to accede to certain occupations. Moreover, the occupational groups which are predominantly female are less well paid than those which are predominantly male. The Standing Committee on the Status of Women (hereinafter the Committee) set out to study the reasons why women continue to be under-represented in certain jobs, and to explore with a wide range of witnesses from across Canada solutions which could increase the participation of women in non-traditional jobs. Between October 2009 and April 2010, the Committee heard from over forty witnesses representing employers, professional associations, educational institutions, women’s groups, and labour groups from all regions of the country. Witnesses covered a wide range of occupational groups, including the skilled trades, science and engineering, health care, and primary sector occupations such as mining. Over the course of the eleven meetings the Committee held on this question, the Committee had the privilege of hearing from a number of exceptional women who were passionate about the work they do. They described fulfilling, exciting careers which allowed them to do the things they love to do. They expressed an optimism that their lines of work provided wonderful opportunities for women; that it was possible to introduce changes to make these occupations more accessible to women; and that such changes would benefit all employees in their places of work.

Despite their professional and regional diversity, witnesses were remarkably consistent on the challenges and the ways to address those challenges:

• Women and girls are socialized to believe that some jobs are out of reach for them. We need to find the right strategies to allow girls and women to dare to dream of possibilities in a wider range of occupations.
• Women and men face a number of challenges related to training, particularly for the skilled trades. Women are confronted with additional challenges relating to their heavier responsibilities of care-giving for children and other family members.
• Despite legislation to the contrary, some employers continue to discriminate against women in hiring. This is even more problematic for certain groups of women, such as new immigrant and Aboriginal women.
• Women working in non-traditional jobs face a number of challenges in the work-place: lack of washroom facilities, safety gear that does not fit, and lack of child care.

Many of the challenges which women face in non-traditional jobs are a result of the heavier responsibilities for care which women assume for children and other family members. The Committee has heard, however, that younger generations of men are also looking for a greater work-family balance. The entrance of women in non-traditional jobs forces governments, employers, labour organizations, and educational organizations to adapt to this changing labour force. It is the hope of this Committee that these adaptations will lead to a more productive labour force and in turn allow men and women to fulfill their dreams of interesting, rewarding work which allows them to find a healthy balance between their jobs and their family lives.