Campbell’s policies continue to hurt women, trap many in poverty
BC Federation of Labour
Media release
March 6, 2009

As people around the world get ready to celebrate International Women's Day on Sunday, a study released today by the B.C. Federation of Labour shows that policies of the Gordon Campbell government continue to unfairly impact women.

The Report, "STILL WAITING FOR JUSTICE: Update 2009 - Provincial policies and gender inequality in BC", was written by University of British Columbia Professors Gillian Creese and Veronica Strong-Boag.

"The Campbell government continues to introduce policies that trap many women in poverty," says Federation Secretary-Treasurer, Angela Schira. "Whether it's employment standards, minimum wage rates, taxation, childcare or housing policies, this government has made women poorer."

"Women get paid less than men. They end up deeper in debt for their education. The childcare crisis in the province hurts women. Tax changes have disproportionately impacted women and they are under-represented in government," says Veronica Strong-Boag.

The Campbell government's most recent provincial budget continues to impact women disproportionately. Stimulus spending on infrastructure projects will create jobs in construction, transportation and trades. These jobs are overwhelmingly (93 percent) performed by men. At the same time, a public sector wage freeze and public service budget cuts will lead to more job losses for women. Sixty-one percent of minimum wage earners in BC are women. The Campbell government announced in its February Throne Speech that it will extend its 8 year freeze on the provincial $8/hour minimum wage.

The Report recommends policy changes that would begin to undo some of the damage including: a $10/hour minimum wage, a halt to the privatization of public services, pay equity and employment equity policies, accessible and affordable childcare, reinvestment in social housing and the re-establishment of the Ministry for Women's Equality.

"Earlier this week the results of this Report were discussed at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York City. Delegates from around the world, including delegates from developing nations, were shocked at the levels of poverty and neglect in British Columbia," says Angela Schira.