Salary News

17 July 2022 - The narrowing of the gender pay gap in Canada’s health and care sector is being affected by Covid-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labor Organization (ILO) released a global analysis highlighting that the wage divide between men and women in the health care sector in Canada has almost halved in the last decade. They cited the change of 4.7 percent in 2019 from 8.5 percent in 2000. This shows that on average female workers earned 4.7 percent lower than their male counterparts. 

Due to Covid-19, the average hourly wages for Canadian women in the health and care field went from 14 percent in December 2020 to 19 percent in January 2019. However, job losses during the pandemic affected more women then men in the health care sector. And workers feel they are not being paid well enough.

Not adequately compensated

A registered nurse in Ontario, Hoffarth, says “People who work in health care are not adequately compensated for the work that they do at work and the work that they continue to do outside of work and outside of their paid time as well.”

Although progress has been made in Canada, the latest WHO/ILO report emphasizes the unfair treatment of women in the healthcare sector. The findings show that women are continuing to face gender-related inequalities. Canadian researchers found that “women account for less than 35 percent of doctors in the 10 specialties with the highest incomes.” These specialties include radiology, ophthalmology and cardiology.  

Because of Covid-19, hospitals are facing staffing issues, staff burnout and fleeing workers who are leaving the medical field. “Women have suffered the impact of the pandemic, particularly because most workers in the health and care sector are women," says Michelle McIsaac, co-author of the global analysis produced by WHO/ILO and WHO economist. 

Michelle adds: “Since women have a greater representation at the low end of the pay scale, the loss of employment at the low end during the periods with the strictest public health measures may have impacted them more than men who are less represented at the low end of the pay scale in the health and care sector.”

What do health care workers earn in Canada? Take our Salary Check to share and compare.

8 July 2022 - Businesses across Canada are experiencing staffing issues and labor shortages. Labor-related concerns are reported at a record high rate from business owners in Canada. In a report published by the Bank of Canada as a result of the second quarter of 2022, the surveyors found, that “the number of businesses reporting labor-related constraints and supply chain bottlenecks remains at a record high, suggesting that supply is not keeping up with demand. About half of firms with
supply chain challenges expect them to persist until the end of 2023 or beyond.” Moreover, the Bank of Canada highlights the correlation between the recent supply chain challenges and labor shortages, suggesting that labor shortages are existing due to supply chain constraints.

Not just one industry

Canada’s Chief Economist, Pedro Antunes, suggests that staffing struggles are not confined to one industry, “I don’t think there’s an industry out there that is not constrained by the lack of workers.” Proposing that staffing struggles can be seen within different organizations and furthermore, at different levels within various companies.

Additionally, in the pair of reports produced by the Bank of Canada, the surveyed consumer expectations lead to the suggestion that consumers' worries have risen with the rising inflation, affecting how consumers view prices for food, gas and rent. The authors of the report highlighted that “many firms continue to report plans for raising wages to attract and retain workers”, Canadian businesses are expecting to increase wages and raise prices at a faster rate.

In order to help attract workers, and help with the rising inflation, the Bank of Canada adds that businesses are going to be expected to raise wages by 5.8 percent on average over the extent of the following year. Currently, the Ontario Living Wage Network calculates a “living wage” as $18.60 an hour in Ottawa.

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1 July 2022 - The Government of Canada announced an extension of the Covid-19 border protocols already put in place to reduce the risk and spread of the virus. The Public Health Agency of Canada predicts that the current measures will likely remain until at least September 30, 2022. 
Additionally, the previously paused mandatory random testing at airports throughout Canada will go back into effect and remain through mid-to-late July. Furthermore, testing completed on land borders will continue.
As a fully vaccinated 1 traveler to Canada, the country’s current measures are as follows. In addition to having no symptoms of Covid-19, Canada asks you to upload travel and vaccine information into a free ArriveCAN account via the mobile app or website. From there, your ArriveCAN account will produce a receipt needed to be presented for entrance. ArriveCan has over a 95% compliance rate for visitors arriving through land borders as well as air travel. 
For visitors who do not have both vaccines, or the second dose was not completed 14 days prior to arrival into Canada, testing is to be completed on day one and day eight of the required 14-day quarantine. 
With the decision to keep Covid-19 border measures in place, Canada is not aiming to deter visitors, but rather to keep them and its citizens safe. The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance says, “Our Government is deeply invested in growing our visitor economy, and the Canadian economy as a whole… we are ready to welcome back domestic and international tourists while prioritizing their safety and well-being.” With the lingering risk of Covid-19, it’s important to follow measures to reduce the risk of transmission and importation of new variants into the country.
Please take our Coronavirus Survey and contribute to Covid-19 information in Canada.