CITY OF SELKIRK PROCLAMATION – Equal Pay Day – March 18, 2023

WHEREAS          March 18^th, 2023 has been proclaimed “Equal Pay Day” by the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women; and

WHEREAS          March 18^th, 2023 marks the end of the 420 days that Canadian women must work to earn the same wage that their male counterparts earn in just 365 days; and

WHEREAS          in Canada in 2008, women working full-time, full-year earn on average $0.71 for every $1.00 earned by men working the same period, resulting in a “wage Gap” of .29 cents, which is wider for older women, disabled women and for women of colour, and; graduates from post- secondary educational institutions; and

WHEREAS          despite legislated policies that support the universal international precept that equality between men and women is a fundamental human right, and that credible research and business reports continue to build the business case for why women mean business for the 21^st Century; and

WHEREAS          we are trending toward an extremely competitive job market in the context of a shrinking talent pool which further suggests that the TIME IS NOW to utilize all societal and economic assets and to leverage the untapped brain trust of over 50 of our workforce; and

WHEREAS          corporations and communities who take steps today to ensure that they are an equal opportunity employer of choice can gain valuable recognition by discerning consumers for their attention to gender equality in their workplace and business practice; and 

WHEREAS          THE CITY OF Selkirk promotes a culture where the equal treatment of women and men is not just the right thing to do – it is also good for business. The full participation of women in our enterprises and in the larger community makes sound business sense now and in the future. That a broad concept of sustainability and corporate responsibility is a key goal that will benefit us all.     

THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that I Larry Johannson, Mayor of the City of Selkirk, in the Province of Manitoba, do hereby proclaim March 18^th, 2023 to be Equal Pay Day in Selkirk and commend its thoughtful observance to all citizens.          

Larry Johannson

MAYOR