There’s an axiom quoted so often it’s impossible to determine who said it first. “Don’t tell me what you believe,” it says. “Tell me what you do, then I’ll know what you believe.”

When it comes to closing the gender pay gap, Canadian women find themselves caught somewhere between fine government words and underwhelming deeds. That’s an improvement, of course. Progress is being made. But too cautiously.

It’s grand that closing the pay gap is now purportedly a priority for governments. Heartening that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made gender equity the theme of his recent budget. Swell that Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, on the eve of International Women’s Day, intended on Wednesday to focus the latest of her town hall meetings on gender equality.

But those appraising political leaders on this file are looking for more and better in the way of action, especially, and justifiably, on the pay gap.

Census data from 2016 show that women continue to earn less than men in Canada. The gap is estimated at about 30 per cent and has narrowed only slightly since the late 1980s.

This week, the Wynne government finally acted on longstanding demands for a wage transparency law in Ontario. But it was an effort promptly found wanting in scope and rigour by the Equal Pay Coalition.

The coalition welcomed proposals that job postings include a salary rate or range, that bar employers from asking about past compensation, and that prohibit reprisals against employees.

But staged reporting requirements that will begin with the public sector, then be rolled out to private-sector workplaces with more than 500 employees, then to those with more than 250, undercuts fairness.

Small businesses represent 95 per cent of employers in Ontario and almost 30 per cent of workers. There’s no justification, the coalition argues, for leaving them out.

Critics said the government was likely stung by pushback on its minimum wage hike and hopes to avoid further small-business wrath.

But on this file, the premier needs to remember two things. Women have waited more than long enough. And deeds, not words, speak loudest.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Read more about: