Feminist Scorecard 2020: Is Canada Living Up to Its Feminist Policy Promises?
Oxfam Canada scores actions the government is taking to advance women’s rights and gender equality at home and around the world. How do they stack up?
Scorecard Legend
Significant Progress
The government has made major achievements that significantly move the needle on women’s rights and gender equality.
Some Progress
The government has made noteworthy achievements on some files, but needs to go further to truly walk the feminist talk.
Little Progress
The government has stalled or backtracked on key commitments in this policy area.
Representation & Leadership
The federal cabinet continues to be gender-balanced, and more women were elected to Parliament. The government strengthened its application of GBA+ and made historic investments in Canadian women’s rights organizations.
significant progress
Global Development
Canada made groundbreaking investments this year in sexual and reproductive health and rights, and feminist and women’s rights organizations globally. Now the government needs to step up to achieve the UN aid target of 0.7% of gross national income.
significant progress
Poverty
Important efforts were made to tackle poverty in Canada. Several historic pieces of legislation were passed on poverty reduction, housing and disability rights, which still require strategic investments and action.
significant progress
Gender-based Violence & SRHR
New resources were announced to develop a National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and create new shelter spaces for women, but more work is needed to eliminate discrepancies in access to abortion, contraceptives and sexuality education.
some progress
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Care Work
The government made incremental progress to address the child care crisis, but greater investments are needed in order to create a publicly managed national child care system.
some progress
Conflict & Crisis
Despite leadership on women, peace and security, and investing in gender-responsive humanitarian action, Canada has backtracked on commitments to refugees and still sells arms to Saudi Arabia, which fuel the war in neighbouring Yemen.
some progress
Climate Change & Extractives
The government has yet to take the hard decisions to accelerate emissions reductions, end fossil fuel subsidies and contribute Canada’s fair share to international climate finance. Business-related human rights abuses will persist without an independent ombudsperson office with teeth and major reforms of EDC.
little progress
Rights of Indigenous Women
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls exposed the ongoing colonization, genocide and systemic discrimination against Indigenous women. With 231 Calls for Justice, now is the time for implementation and government action.
little progress
Tax
Despite incorporating gender-based analysis into the federal budget process, limited progress was made this year on closing tax loopholes and making wealthy individuals and corporations pay their fair share.
little progress
Work & Pay Equity
The long-awaited federal Pay Equity Act is ready to come into force but faces delays. Canada must align with global standards on violence and harassment in the workplace, and address labour exploitation in global supply chains.
little progress