Look around your workplace. What do you see? Are there more men than women? More women than men? It is quite likely that depending on your area of employment, these answers will change. While Canada prides itself on diversity, gender gaps in the workplace continue to affect both men and women.
According to The Catalyst Research Centre, women are much less likely to be employed in the technical and trade professions, making up only 1.6% of electricians and 1.1% of heavy duty equipment mechanics in the country. The statistics are similar in related fields including pipe and seam fitters, bricklayers and carpenters, and millwrights. Other traditionally male dominated fields, such as policing, have seen a rise in female employment. Even so, women still only make up 20% of officers in Canada. Many other professions see opposite trends. Nursing remains an overwhelmingly female dominated field, with only 6.3% of male employees, as does early childhood development, and secretarial work.