July 17, 2015 The Hon. Kellie Leitch Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for the Status of Women House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 Dear Minister, I am writing to you with regard to comments made recently by your colleague, Conservative MP for Calgary Centre, Joan Crockatt, on women in the workforce. She stated that: Women are choosing professions that arent as high-payingbut if women want higher paying jobs, those jobs are out there waiting for them. We have a shortage of skilled labour in [Alberta]. Hello women, theres your opportunity. These comments, which blame women for the wage gap, dismiss the serious issue of pay equity, and blatantly disregard the systemic barriers that must still be overcome to ensure women have access to higher paying jobs and professions. I also note that you were silent and have remained silent on these comments even though you were with Ms. Crockatt when she made them at a Calgary event. As Minister responsible for the Status of Women, you know firsthand that statements like these are out of touch with the realities faced by women in the workforce today. As such, I am calling on you to immediately and unequivocally denounce Ms. Crockatts comments as untrue and offensive. I appreciate your prompt reply to this important matter. Yours sincerely,

Kirsty Duncan MP for Etobicoke North Liberal Critic for the Status of Women

House of Commons Room 613, Confederation Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Tel: (613) 995-4702 Fax: (613) 995-8359 Constituency 815 Albion Rd Etobicoke, Ontario M9V 1A3 Tel: (416) 747-6003 Fax: (416) 747-8295

Chambre des communes Pice 613, d. de la Confdration

Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0A6

Tl.: (613) 995-4702 Tlc.: (613) 995-8359

Circonscription 815, rue Albion

Etobicoke (Ontario) M9V 1A3

Tl.: (416) 747-6003 Tlc.: (416) 747-8295

Dr. Kirsty Duncan

M.P. for Etobicoke North

Dput de Etobicoke-Nord