Level the Paying Field

Level the Paying Field

Welcome to Level the Paying Field where we explore issues related to economics, equity, women, work and money. This series of conversations explores topics impacting women working in Ontario and is published by Ontario’s Pay Equity Office. Part of our inspiration for launching this series was how, in the midst of a global pandemic which disproportionally impacted women around the world, global multilateral organizations came together to inaugurate the first ever International Equal Pay Day on September 18th 2020. This was an initiative led by United Nations members including Australia, Canada, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand, Panama, South Africa and Switzerland with a total of 105 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution to establish September 18th as “International Equal Pay Day”. Through this series, we hope to elevate the equity conversation to make the world a more equitable place for women to work, live, and thrive, and support closing the gender wage gap.Podcast in English only. Visit website for transcripts https://levelthepayingfield.ca/. Bienvenue dans le site de la série Équité salariale: des règles de rémunération équitables où nous explorons des enjeux qui concernent l’économie, l’équité, les femmes, le travail et l’argent. Cette série de discussions explore des sujets ayant des implications pour les femmes qui travaillent en Ontario et est diffusée par le Bureau de l’équité salariale. Ce qui nous a en partie inspirés pour le lancement de cette série a été l’initiative d’organisations multilatérales internationales qui, durant une pandémie mondiale marquée par des répercussions disproportionnées sur les femmes autour du globe, se sont unies pour inaugurer la toute première Journée internationale de l’égalité de rémunération le 18 septembre 2020. Cette initiative a été menée par des membres des Nations Unies, dont l’Australie, le Canada, l’Allemagne, l’Islande, la Nouvelle Zélande, le Panama, l’Afrique du Sud et la Suisse, avec au total 105 États membres des Nations Unies coparrainant la résolution qui fixe au 18 septembre la Journée internationale de l’égalité de rémunération. Dans le cadre de cette série, nous espérons rehausser la discussion sur l’équité pour faire de la planète un lieu plus équitable où les femmes peuvent travailler, vivre et s’épanouir et pour favoriser la fermeture de l’écart salarial entre les sexes.Suivez nous sur LinkedIn et Twitter pour obtenir des mises à jour. Podcast en anglais seulement. Visitez le site Web pour les transcriptions https://levelthepayingfield.ca/home-2021-2.

Episodes

June 10, 2025 18 mins
Can a movie change the world—or at least your workplace?  

Kadie Philp dives into the legacy of the “9 to 5” movement and how Hollywood films have shaped, reflected, and sometimes challenged gender roles in the workforce.  

From office revolutions in the 1970s to Barbie’s 2023 existential crisis, Kadie explores how female characters—whether breaking glass ceilings or stuck under them—have fought for dignity, equity, and representati...
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When you walk into an art gallery, whose stories are being told—and whose are left out?  

Kadie Philp sits down with artist and mother Alexa Mazzarello to explore the persistent gender disparities in the art world, from pay inequity to the underrepresentation of female artists in major collections and leadership roles.  

They discuss the long legacy of feminist artists challenging the status quo, the unique struggles of mother artist...
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When you picture a gamer, who comes to mind? If a woman wasn’t your first thought, it’s time to rethink the stereotype.  

Women now make up nearly half of all gamers in Canada, and their growing presence is reshaping the industry—not just as players, but as developers, designers, and decision-makers.  

Kadie Philp talks with Dr. Andrea Braithwaite, senior teaching professor at Ontario Tech University and Vice President of the Canadia...
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What does it take to break barriers in sports?  

Kadie Philp is joined by Olympian and trailblazer Haley Daniels to share her fight for gender equity in women's canoeing—both in getting it recognized as an Olympic sport and in securing equal funding and representation.  

From facing blatant discrimination to proving that women’s sports are just as marketable and competitive, Haley's journey is a reflection of how equity in sports mi...
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Music has always been more than just entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for protest, a megaphone for the unheard, and a force for social change.  

Kadie Philp sits down with Dr. Norma Coates, associate professor at Western University, to explore the intersection of music, gender, and activism.  

From the defiant blues singers of the 1920s to modern icons like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, they discuss how women in music have consistentl...
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Have you ever considered how your favourite TV show influences the way you see gender roles?  

Kadie Philp sits down with Dr. Andrea Braithwaite, a senior teaching professor at Ontario Tech University, to explore how television has shaped—and been shaped by—women’s roles in society. 

From the pioneering influence of I Love Lucy to the feminist power of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the cultural impact of Schitt’s Creek, they discuss ...
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In Season Three of Level the Paying Field, host Kadie Philp and the Ontario Pay Equity Office spotlight the fight for pay and gender equity across the arts and entertainment industries. From visual artists and athletes to musicians, actors, and game developers, this season unpacks how women are represented—and compensated—in pop culture.

Featuring voices like Alexa Mazzarello, Haley Daniels, Norma Coates, and Andrea Braithwaite, we ...
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Kadie Ward, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario's Pay Equity Commission, and Dr. Anthony Greenwald, Professor Emeritus, University of Washington, and co-author of “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People”, discuss hidden or implicit biases that contribute to the gender wage gap. Together, they review possible approaches to remedying discriminatory biases.

The papers referred to in this episode can be found at:
Project Implicit (Implicit...
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May 16, 2023 21 mins
The labour market never started off level for women and men. Women have and continue to be clustered in the “5Cs”: cleaning, catering, cashiering, clerical and caring. Dr. Sarah Kaplan, Director, Institute for Gender and the Economy (GATE), talks to Kadie Ward, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario's Pay Equity Commission, about gender’s role in today’s labour market, and whether we are moving to a meritocracy.

To see the full Level the ...
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How does the gendered nature of the care economy impact wages across the sectors? Katherine Scott, Senior Researcher of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, joins Commissioner Kadie Ward to reflect on the need to reassess the value of care work and what the path forward may look like.

The papers referred to in this episode can be found at:
A Bumpy Ride Tracking women’s economic recovery amid the pandemic
Women, work and COVI...
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Parental leave: motherhood penalty vs. fatherhood bonus. Kadie Ward, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario's Pay Equity Commission, is joined by Maya Roy to look into how we can encourage more equal distribution of parental leave between parents. 

The Pay Equity Solution for Small Business Do-It-Yourself Toolkit referred to in this episode can be found at: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Pay Equity Solution for Small ​Business Do-It-Yo...
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Bias begins very early in life influencing how girls and women see themselves as leaders. Early intervention is crucial. Dr. Julie Cafley, executive director of Catalyst Canada, joins Kadie Ward, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario's Pay Equity Commission, to discuss how to bust these biases once and for all.

To see the full Level the Paying Field series, visit www.levelthepayingfield.ca.
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April 18, 2023 21 mins
What is the Gender Wage Gap (GWG), and how is it measured? What are gender gaps and how are they related to the GWG? Kadie Ward, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario's Pay Equity Commission, speaks with Paulette Senior, President and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

The Girl Guides Canada report referred to in this episode can be found at: Girls on the Job: Realities in Canada.

To see the full Level the Paying Field series, visit...
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April 11, 2023 42 secs
Level the Paying Field is a six-part series that seeks to uncover the invisible drivers of the gender wage gap. This show is hosted by Kadie Ward, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario's Pay Equity Commission.

It's taken over 20 years to close the gender wage gap by 8%. Progress is being made, and yet the gap persists in part because 70% of the gap remains unexplained. Join us in exploring the invisible drivers of the gender wage gap toge...
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August 29, 2022 5 mins
Women are often told to be more assertive, but what happens when women actually advocate for themselves? Commissioner Ward explores these experiences with Janelle Benjamin when she tried to negotiate for better salary + benefits and what she does differently now. On dit souvent aux femmes de se faire valoir, mais que se passe-t-il lorsque les femmes défendent leurs intérêts?La commissaire Ward explore ces expériences avec Janelle B...
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August 29, 2022 6 mins
Commissioner Ward, CAO of Ontario’s Pay Equity Commission and Monika Queisser, Head of the Social Policy Division of OECD explore occupational clustering and the future of work.  La commissaire Ward, directrice générale de la Commission de l’équité salariale de l’Ontario, et Monika Queisser, chef de la division des politiques sociales de l’OCDE, explorent le regroupement des emplois et l’avenir du travail. 
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In this conversation, Commissioner and CAO of Ontario’s Pay Equity Commission, Kadie Ward, speaks with fatherhood advocate and member of the Dad Central Ontario Steering Committee, Ed Gough Jr. Ed discusses the widespread benefits of taking paternity leave and how disruptions introduced by the pandemic may have presented new opportunities for fathers to be more engaged at home.Podcast in English only. Visit website for English and ...
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How would we consider women’s worth if women had been considered “persons” in Canada before 1927? Together with Federal Pay Equity Commissioner Jensen, Commissioner Ward explores this question while looking at Pay Equity Legislation provincially and federally as well as new AI and-data driven software tools that analyze and help close the gender pay gaps. Podcast in English only. Visit website for transcripts. HOSTSKadie Ward, Comm...
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Lean In Canada has published a report looking at racialized women at work in Ontario. Commissioner Ward speaks with Lean In Canada to learn more about what they discovered. Visit website for transcripts. Podcast en anglais seulement. Visitez le site Web pour les transcriptions. Visit website for transcripts. GUEST: Seghen Woldai, Director of Engagement, Lean In Canada Board MemberLean In Canada a publié un rapport qui examine la co...
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The story of the pandemic was different for women.  Author and Journalist Lauren McKeon argues that, in many ways, the story of the pandemic is the story of women.  In her most recent book, Women of the Pandemic, she documents how “women have never before played such a vital, essential role in a global crisis,” and that “they’ve also been the ones who suffered the most”. Lauren’s research covers gender inequalities, gender and powe...
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