The Unpaid
Labor of Quebec Women: A Haunting Economic Reality
Imagine that at the end of each year, Quebec women effectively work for free for the entire remaining period. While this may sound hyperbolic, it’s a powerful image that illustrates a stark reality: women in Quebec still face a pay gap compared to their male counterparts.
A Closing Gap, Yet a Persistent Divide
Last year, Quebec women earned 91% of the average hourly wage compared to men. This translates to a difference of almost $3 per hour, highlighting that, even in 2023, women continue to earn less for the same work. While it’s reassuring to see the gap narrowing, it’s important to remember that the situation was far worse in the past.
Back in 1978 when women working full-time, year-round earned only about 60% of men’s wages.
Even accounting for the fact that women, on average, work fewer hours than men – a decision often influenced by traditional
expectation of women handling domestic responsibilities – the gap remains.
[ANALYSIS:] the average total annual income for women is onlyях
78% of men’s, concluding a gap of 22%.
The Unseen Factors Impacting Pay Equity
This disparity isn’t about individual choices; a multitude of factors contribute to this entrenched inequality.
Look at any industry sector, age group, education level, or company size – virtually everywhere, the average hourly wage for women falls below that of men, with only a few rare exceptions. Young women aged 15 to 24 see a smaller gap, their hourly earnings closer to those of men (97%), but even this positive trend ebbs as they move further into their careers.
The sector a woman chooses often dictates her earning potential.to. Professional, scientific, and technical fields hover around an 78% ratio of women’s earnings compared to men’s wages, while construction, manufacturing, and commerce showcasing a 86% ratio. Utilities (101%) and transportation (103%) are notable exceptions where women
earn more on average than men; however, these tend to be the least represented fields for women overall. Equally important is the observation that immigrant women earn 87% of what immigrant men earn, 85% of men born in Quebec, and 92% of women born in Quebec.
One major factor fueling this disparity is the overrepresentation of women in traditionally “care” sectors like childcare, nursing, and elder care prohydro. These essential but often undervalued fields offer lower wages compared to other professions. Despite numerous public policy initiatives such as
the Pay Equity Act, the public daycare network, and the extension of parental leave, women routinely bear the brunt of unpaid work at home – averaging 3.4 hours per day compared to 2.4 hours for men.
Unpaid domestic and care work, though crucial to society, isn’t reflected in economic indicators. Yet its value is substantial: estimated at $860 billion in Canada in 2019, equivalent to 37% of the national GDP.
The Path Forward: dismantling systemic barriers
Addressing this persistent gap requires acknowledging that this isn’t simply about equal pay; it’s a multifaceted issue intertwined with
* What are some key policy solutions Dr. Dubois suggests to address the gender pay gap in Quebec?
## Closing the Gap: A Conversation About Quebec’s Gender Pay Divide
**Host**: Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving deep into a significant issue impacting countless Quebec women: the gender pay gap. Joining us today is Dr. Marie Dubois, an economist specializing in gender and labor market dynamics. Dr. Dubois, thanks so much for being here.
**Dr. Dubois**: It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host**: Let’s start with the basics. While progress has been made, Quebec women are still earning less than their male counterparts. Can you shed some light on the current state of the gender pay gap in Quebec?
**Dr. Dubois**: Absolutely. While it’s encouraging to see the gap narrowing, the reality is that Quebec women earned, on average, 91% of men’s hourly wage in 2023, according to research from various sources. [[1](https://www.conferenceboard.ca/hcp/gender-gap-aspx/)]
This disparity translates to a difference of nearly $3 per hour, meaning women effectively work for free for a significant portion of the year.
**Host**: That’s a sobering statistic. It sounds like the issue is persistent even though progress has been made.
**Dr. Dubois**: Precisely. We’ve come a long way from the 1970s, where women earned a meager 60% of men’s wages when working full-time. While social and legislative changes have contributed to this improvement, it’s crucial to understand the multifaceted factors that keep this gap alive.
**Host**: What are some of those factors?
**Dr. Dubois**: It’s a complex mix. While the number of hours worked by women, often influenced by societal expectations around domestic responsibilities, plays a role, it’s not the whole story.
Occupational segregation, where certain industries and roles are predominantly held by one gender, often lead to pay disparities. Additionally, unconscious biases, lack of access to mentorship and leadership opportunities, and inadequate parental leave policies can all contribute to this persistent inequality.
**Host**: That paints a clearer picture. What can be done to address these deeply rooted issues?
**Dr. Dubois**:
Tackling this issue requires a multifaceted approach. We need robust pay transparency legislation, proactive policies that encourage fair representation of women in leadership roles, and a cultural shift that values and supports women’s participation in the workforce without compromising their well-being or family responsibilities. Investing in affordable childcare and accessible parental leave policies is also crucial to leveling the playing field.
**Host**:
Dr. Dubois, thank you for your insight and expertise. This is a crucial conversation, and hopefully, by shedding light on these issues, we can inspire meaningful change and create a fairer future for all Quebec women.
**Dr. Dubois**:
It’s been my pleasure. It’s a conversation that needs to continue.
