Pay equity - midwives determined despite long road to close the gap

Right now, the gender pay gap in Ontario is 30%.Women on average earn only 70 cents on the male dollar.

The pay gap is not just about gender. The gap increases when intersecting with other forms of discrimination such as those experienced by women who are Indigenous, racialized, immigrants, elderly, Two-Spirit, queer or lesbian, and transgender or non-binary people, and women with disabilities.

Midwifery is so deeply associated with women that it has one of the largest pay gaps. Midwives are working to close the gap because it’s a human right. Midwives working to close the gap because closing the gap paves the way for equality in our communities and around the world.

Since 2013, midwives have been engaged in legal action to close the gap at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. One year ago, in September 2018, the Tribunal found the Ontario government, as the employer of midwives, responsible for the midwifery gender pay gap. Now, it’s up to government to close the gap. But midwives are still waiting. Given that there has been no government action to close the gap, midwives are expecting the Tribunal will issue a final decision, one that will include orders for government to close the gap.

Support from our allies, and our deeply held belief that equality works for everyone, keeps us going. Midwives are going to keep working for equality until the gap is gone.

Thank you for your support. It means the world to us. We know that together, with the support of the wonderful people and families in Ontario that we care for, we’ll build a better future.

Read the latest about the Ontario midwives' landmark pay equity case at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.