FEWO Committee Report

LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA DISSENTING REPORT:
WOMEN IN SKILLED TRADES AND SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,
ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS OCCUPATIONS

Kirsty Duncan, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North

INTRODUCTION

The subject area is enormously important, as the development of world-class talent in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is critical to Canada and to our economy. It is also an area that is very important to women, as research suggests that women in STEM fields earn 33 percent more than women in non-STEM fields, and experience a wage gap relative to men.

First, I would like to underline the vital role that robust science plays in the lives of Canadians. For example, scientific investigation helps to identify risks to ecosystems and human health; and helps to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the communities in which we live. Unfortunately, science has been under persistent attack in Canada: for example, cutting $148 million from the federal granting councils in 2009; cutting funding to the Experimental Lakes Area and the Polar Environmental Atmospheric Research Lab; and putting in place new media protocols to prevent public service researchers from discussing their peer-reviewed research.

Women are already facing barriers to entering STEM-related fields; it does not help that the national climate is perceived to be less than supportive owing to weak leadership from the federal government.

I would like to thank the witnesses who gave their time and ideas, spoke passionately about increasing the role of women in trades and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and occupations, and who put forth substantive recommendations.

Increasingly I have found that recommendations put forth by the Status of Women Committee are often lacking, meaningless, or watered-down. Unfortunately, this report continues in that tradition.

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 1 is simply vague.  Despite recommending “clearly defined outcomes,” the report does not offer suggestions for these outcomes. What types of outcomes should the Government consider to attract women in STEM-based work, and will any support be given to stakeholders to help achieve outcomes?

Recommendation 2 recommends the Government “continue its commitment” to ongoing gender analysis (GBA). The Liberal Party affirms its commitment to GBA, but I believe the Government can and should do better in this area.

A 2009 report by the Auditor General reported that most government departments do not identify the different impacts on women and men, and made recommendations to improve GBA within the Government of Canada.

The Committee heard that the Government of Canada should commit to and conduct on-going, GBA of all its programs, and ensure GBA is undertaken prior to developing any new program or legislation.

It should be noted that according to Status of Women Canada officials, some 1,500 officials have taken the interactive course on GBA and received a certificate for doing so. According to the Clerk of the Privy Council, the number of employees of the federal public service in March 2013 was close to 263,000 employees. How many of the bureaucracy's executives, deputy ministers, and associate deputy ministers, have actually taken the course and/or prescribed it to their teams? It should also be noted that no further training was thought to be required beyond this initial, one-time, two-hour course.

Recommendation 3 maintains that the Government of Canada should “support the ongoing commitment to women in Skilled Trades”, again upholding the status quo. What kind of commitment—a promise, funding, or some other commitment?

Recommendation 4 mentions that the Government work with “stakeholders to provide opportunities for women and girls to be engaged in STEM from an early age”.  What type of opportunities, wow will they be provided and will funding be available?

Recommendation 5 highlights supporting the Government’s own “It Starts with One” campaign, although several mentorship campaigns currently exist.

Recommendation 7 is an important statement, but “support” should be specified. What we heard from witnesses is that Government needs to help with funding.

Recommendation 8 is important in intent, but how will the Government encourage women and girls to consider careers in skilled trades and STEM, and how will it “highlight career opportunities and financial benefits”?

Recommendation 9 maintains that the Government should “continue to support outreach programs that raise awareness about the breadth of opportunities in STEM fields”. Again, what kind of support should be specified? What the Committee learned is that programs are needed to provide training to teachers, parents, and other leaders to form a “web of support” for girls interested in STEM is needed.

WHAT IS MISSING

Women have been fighting for pay equity for one-hundred years in Canada, yet the gap in income between men and women in Canada still remains at 19 percent. According to the Conference Board, Canada ties with the United States for the 11th spot out of 17 peer countries, and earns a "C" grade.

It is therefore unfortunate that there is no recommendation to implement the recommendations of the 2004 Pay Equity Task Force. This is a glaring omission, and means a continuing lack of fairness to Canadian women. All Canadians, regardless of gender, deserve equality in the workplace and the full protection of their government.

It is also unfortunate that there is no recommendation ensuring a regular, independent, expert review of all government programs related to women and girls in STEM, women’s progress in STEM fields, women’s salaries compared to their male counterparts, remaining challenges, and that the review recommend best practices and solutions.

The Committee also heard that the Government should put in place “national sex equality laws”, and ensure that government departments responsible for their application have effective means of monitoring for gender imbalances on a continuing basis in education and all occupations, including STEM fields. And finally the Committee heard about conscious and unconscious biases around gender, harassment, and micro-aggressions in educational settings and the workforce. 

CONCLUSION

We need utilize all our talent, regardless of gender. We need to know what challenges women face entering trade and STEM programs, what holds them back from achieving their full potential in their chosen fields, and whether there is equal pay for work of equal value.