What works in Canada

Canada has implemented several major national programmes addressing workforce participation, digital access, and pay equity. The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System reduced child-care costs from ~16% to 5% of after-tax family income and correlated with record maternal labour-force participation of 79.6% by 2023, with an estimated 29,000 additional mothers employed. The Digital Literacy Exchange Program reached 650,000+ Canadians from underserved groups through CAD $47.1M in funding, while K-Net has built broadband and telehealth infrastructure supporting 100+ First Nations communities in remote areas, though hundreds of First Nations communities still lack adequate broadband. These initiatives show targeted investment in reducing barriers to economic participation and digital access, though the evidence documents programme reach rather than comprehensive national outcomes.