Tackling the income and pay gap: Community-led solutions for economic justice

A collage features diverse images and people representing economic justice. In the center, three children are seated on the ground, drawing with chalk. Surrounding them are individual portraits and small scenes: Someone holding a baby, someone carrying a box, two people tend to a garden plot, someone in a hijab with crutches. Interspersed among the figures are various objects and signs: A door labeled “processing”, a temporary job contract; Signs that read: status for all, living wage for all, equal pay, raise the rates; a ballot box, gavel, clipboard, briefcase, a bus, a dove, heart, a diploma scroll, a puzzle piece, books and a walking stick. — Design by: Anita Sekharan

21/10/2025Economic security Publication

BC and Canada’s colonial systems are built on economic injustice. The pay and income gap—across gender, race, status, and ability—is a symptom of that injustice. It’s rooted in colonialism, racism, capitalism, ableism, and gender-based discrimination.

The pay gap is much worse for women and gender-diverse people who are Indigenous, racialized, migrants, disabled, older, or are caregivers. It has far-reaching consequences for economic justice and well-being for racialized and gendered people.

The income and pay gap series

West Coast LEAF facilitated a multi-year community engagement process to deepen our understanding of economic injustice, the impacts of the income and pay gap, and the needed solutions. We have gathered our learning in new series of factsheets that offer tools to deepen your understanding of the income and pay gap and to support advocacy for economic justice.

Download the key resources behind the series.