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Alberta Leads Canada in Gender Pay Gap

Published July 7, 2026 at 2:51 AM UTC

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Alberta has the largest gender pay gap in Canada, with women earning approximately 18% less than men on average. This disparity is nearly 40% higher than the national average of 13%, meaning women earned 87 cents for every dollar earned by men. In contrast, Alberta's gender wage gap was 18% in 2024 and 17.4% in 2025, indicating a persistent and widening disparity. Experts attribute this gap to systemic wage discrimination, stating that "the gender pay gap is mostly the result of wage discrimination. It reflects how our labour market systematically undervalues work traditionally done by women." Women in Alberta are more likely to work part-time and are overrepresented in low-paying sectors such as healthcare, education, and retail. Despite higher levels of education, these women often face barriers that hinder their career advancement and earning potential. The Alberta Federation of Labour has called for the introduction of pay equity legislation in Alberta to address this issue. Currently, Alberta is the only province without such legislation, which is seen as a significant factor contributing to the persistent wage gap. Addressing the gender pay gap in Alberta requires comprehensive policy interventions, including improving access to affordable childcare, enhancing parental and domestic violence leaves, and challenging cultural norms that undervalue work in sectors dominated by women. The Alberta government has acknowledged the issue, stating that "Alberta women earn less on average than Alberta men for the same or substantially similar work." However, concrete actions to close the gap have been limited. In summary, Alberta's gender pay gap remains a significant concern, with women earning substantially less than men for similar work. Addressing this issue requires legislative action, policy reforms, and a cultural shift to value work traditionally performed by women. Highlights: - Group calls for pay equity law as province leads Canada in gender pay gap | Human Resources Director (Published on Tuesday, March 10) - PRESS RELEASE: AFL calls for pay equity legislation NOW - Alberta Federation of Labour (Published on Friday, March 06) - ISSUE BRIEF: An Alberta Pay Equity Law Would Tackle Wage Discrimination and Grow Our Economy - Alberta Federation of Labour (Published on Thursday, March 05).