E/C.12/CAN/CO/6 Equality between women and men 21. The Committee is concerned at the discrimination against women in the State party in many areas of economic, social and cultural rights. In particular, it is concerned that, owing to women’s primary role as caregivers in the family, women are overrepresented in part-time work and in low-paid sectors, thus perpetuating the gender segregation in the workplace and the gender wage gap. The Committee is further concerned about the remaining gender-based discriminatory provisions in the Indian Act concerning Indian status classification (art. 3). 22. The Committee recommends that the State party develop and implement a comprehensive national gender equality policy to address the structural factors leading to gender inequality, in close cooperation with provinces and territories, as well as in consultation with civil society organizations. The Committee also recommends that the State party: (a) Effectively implement and improve existing legislation on equal pay between men and women, at provincial and territorial levels, including the adoption of effective enforcement mechanisms, and include temporary special measures such as quotas; (b) Repeal the remaining discriminatory provisions in the Indian Act; (c) Pursue its commitment to provide affordable childcare services across the country so as to assist parents to balance family and employment responsibilities; (d) Adopt targeted measures to increase access to social assistance and employment opportunities for women with disabilities; (e) Intensify its efforts to eliminate the gender-role stereotypes and prejudices, including through awareness-raising campaigns. Unemployment 23. The Committee is concerned that certain disadvantaged and marginalized groups and individuals continue to be disproportionately affected by unemployment, including persons with disabilities, African-Canadians, the youth, recent immigrants, minorities and indigenous peoples (art. 6). 24. The Committee recommends that the State party step up its efforts to address unemployment faced by disadvantaged and marginalized groups and individuals. The Committee also recommends that the State party strengthen the enforcement and monitoring of the Employment Equity Act and take all appropriate measures to strengthen and expand its coverage. The Committee further recommends that the State party take measures to ensure the adoption of employment equity legislative and policy measures in all jurisdictions, in collaboration with provinces and territories. Minimum wage 25. While noting that the minimum wage has been adjusted in all provinces during the period under review, the Committee is concerned that in all provinces it remains inadequate and falls short of living costs (art. 7). 26. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the minimum wage is increased in all jurisdictions and adjusted and regularly indexed to the cost of living, so as to allow a decent living for all workers and their families. 5