Increase the labour force participation of women and underrepresented groups.
What success looks like
Improved labour market participation and employment outcomes for groups traditionally under-represented in the labour market (women, youth, immigrants, persons with disabilities, racialized communities, and Indigenous peoples).
Government's narrative on progress
The government has introduced several initiatives to help Canadians with the challenges they face when making decisions about pursuing work or going back to school. These initiatives will increase the number of high-quality, affordable child care spaces (up to 40,000 over the next three years), introduce flexible work arrangements, make parental leave more flexible, and expand opportunities for lifelong learning. These initiatives are expected to increase labour force participation among several under-represented groups, particularly mothers in low- and modest-income families. In addition, the government has increased the number of work experience opportunities for young Canadians through the Youth Employment Strategy, and has also expanded access to job supports and skills training for all Canadians, with a particular focus on the needs of Indigenous Peoples and other under-represented groups. Budget 2018 proposed a new Employment Insurance Parental Sharing Benefit which will support greater gender equality in the home and in the workplace. The Benefit will provide additional weeks of “use it or lose it” EI parental benefits, when both parents agree to share parental leave. The creation of the new Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, the introduction of a loans program and employment supports for newcomers and the introduction of a federal accessibility act will further support the unique needs of Indigenous Peoples, newcomers and persons with disabilities. To support key groups facing barriers to enter and succeed in the trades, the government also launched in 2018 the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women, the Women in Construction Fund and the Skilled Trades Awareness and Readiness Program.
Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.