The Canada 2021 census was released a month ago, within it were the average median incomes for men and women.  

The numbers don’t look good if you want equality though, as there is quite an identifiable gap between the two sexes. 

On a broad scale, within Canada, the average was $46,400 for males and $36,800 for females a pay gap of $9600 per year. Pay is relatively similar, up to $60,000 annually for both genders. It isn’t until you get above the $60,000 pay scale that there seems to be a variance.  

 

While a lot of factors can come into play, with individuals' salaries you could make the assumption that men more often than not get management roles and paid more for those roles.  

The Government of Canada has recognized that this is a problem within the country and released a Pay Equity Act, an act which came into force on August 31, 2021.  

“The Pay Equity Act is an important part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to close the gender wage gap and ensure that workers receive equal pay for work of equal value. It will put into place long-term, sustainable changes that will ensure that women’s work is valued and compensated fairly, now and into the future.” The Government of Canada posted on their website.  

Alberta is also facing this issue as the numbers for the province look similar to the countries.   

DiscoverAirdrie reached out to the Alberta Government for an interview on the subject but they declined, however, Associate Minister Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk released a statement.  

They say they are investing in Alberta women as they are an essential part of our communities and economy.  

They plan on doing this by encouraging and increasing women's participation in the economy by investing in bursaries and grants, such as the $1 million STEM program bursaries and the Women's Economic Recovery Challenge Grant.  

As well, the Alberta Government will support women in post-secondary education by investing $1.9 million in the Momentum Community Economic Development Society's re/START program. This program will support skills development training for women's success in the IT sector. In 2022, $732,500 from the Women in STEM scholarship will help 293 students pay for their studies. Our government also invested $10 million over four years for Women Building Futures to support women entering or pursuing careers in skilled trades and apprenticeships. 

Airdrie also experiences similar issues.  

Overall, within Canada, 20,210,425 (66 per cent) of the 30,336,130 Canadians that participated in the Census make under $60,000 per year and don’t make that much of a difference in the $9600-dollar annual difference between the two genders. The main kicker in the median wages between the two genders comes from above $60,000 annual take-home pay where there starts to be a drop off in Canada, Alberta, and Airdrie.  

Across the Country, there is 5,314,015 men that make above $60,000 as of 2020 (18% of total participants in the 2021 Census). Whereas women across the country make $60,000 there is only 3,717,375 (12 per cent of total participants in the 2021 census) 

The numbers get bleaker as you examine the “1 per cent” in the nation or those making over 100,000. 

Men making above 100k per year there is 2,077,620 total across the country or 6.8 per cent of the population. 

Whereas women there is, 1,082,625 total across the country or 3.57 per cent of the population.  

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