[8] Essential Women and Gender Stories for Canadian Readers

Media monitoring of Canadian print reveals eight essential stories on women and gender issues — news on women and gender issues spanning feminism's enduring legacy, trans rights rulings, and birth rate trends. This press review, powered by Press Monitor's print media monitoring and media intelligence, covers the forces shaping gender equality across Canada.

1. Gloria Steinem's Feminism Legacy

Toronto Star reports that Gloria Steinem, co-founder of Ms. magazine, advanced feminism by tackling issues like sexual harassment and workplace inequality during the second wave. Her work, alongside contemporaries such as Betty Friedan and Margaret Atwood, spanned from the Equal Rights Amendment to the #MeToo movement, with Steinem viewing feminism as a continuum. She also advocated for seniors and warned against patriarchal plutocracy, noting that men should think twice before making widowhood women's only path to power.

Why it matters: Steinem's work continues to define the women's rights movement worldwide.

Key detail: Co-founded Ms. Magazine, championed the Equal Rights Amendment, and inspired the MeToo movement and Take Our Daughters to Work Day — spanning over five decades of advocacy.

Source: Toronto Star (cross-referenced with Toronto Star)

Next step: Continue the conversation on gender equality and women's leadership in Canadian workplaces.

2. Dr. Henry Ajaero Ordered to Pay $28,100 for Trans Discrimination

National Post reports that the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal ordered a B.C. family doctor to pay $28,100 in compensation for refusing to administer a puberty-blocking drug to a transgender-identifying teen over his religious beliefs. The tribunal found Dr. Henry Ajaero discriminated against the youth by denying medical services based on gender identity, ruling that his religious beliefs did not justify the refusal. The case involved a fourteen-year-old referred to as Child Q, who experienced worsened mental health after being denied the injection at Ajaero's Delta clinic in March 2021.

Why it matters: Sets a critical precedent for healthcare access based on gender identity in Canada.

Key detail: The BC Human Rights Tribunal ruled that Dr. Henry Ajaero violated the B.C. Human Rights Code by denying a fourteen-year-old puberty-blocking treatment, causing worsened mental health including self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Source: National Post, Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun

Next step: Monitor implications for medical ethics and trans healthcare access across provinces.

3. Edmonton Oilers Face Backlash Over Formenton Signing

{source_name} reports that Edmonton Oilers fans are expressing outrage after the team signed former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton on Wednesday, July 18, 2026. Formenton was one of five members of the 2018 Canadian world junior team found not guilty of sexual assault in a London, Ontario trial that ended in July 2025. Superfan Mary Loewen and Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton co-CEO Lena Betker both criticized the decision, with some fans selling tickets to upcoming games.

Why it matters: Raises urgent questions about sports organizations prioritizing winning over accountability for sexual assault.

Key detail: Fans threaten to withdraw support; advocacy leaders argue the signing validates harmful behaviour and sends a message that women are disposable.

Source: Edmonton Journal

Next step: Watch for NHL commissioner review and potential personal conduct policy action.

4. Gender Inequality Persists in Quebec, Documentary Shows

Le Journal de Quebec reports that a documentary highlights persistent gender inequality in Quebec, featuring comments from former Member of Parliament Émilie Foster, activist Manon Massé, and young filmmaker Amélie Hardy, who explores the issue in the province. The film argues that despite perceptions of equality, women still bear the majority of societal burdens.

Why it matters: Challenges the perception of equality in the province and amplifies voices calling for change.

Key detail: Features former MP Emilie Foster, activist Manon Massé, and filmmaker Amelie Hardy, who argues women still bear the majority of societal burdens despite perceptions of equality.

Source: Le Journal de Quebec

Next step: See how the documentary sparks provincial policy discussions on gender equity.

5. Gloria Steinem Dies at 92, Leaving Unfinished Work

Toronto Star reports that Gloria Steinem, who died Sept. 2 at 92, helped transform feminism from movement to reality across boardrooms, shop floors, legislatures, and bedrooms worldwide. She left a legacy marked by unfinished work, with women still facing work-life balance challenges and a gender pay gap where women earned 88 cents for every dollar men earned in 2025. Steinem spent over five decades advancing women's economic independence and legal rights through journalism, protests, books, and advocacy.

Why it matters: The gender pay gap and work-life balance challenges remain unresolved decades after the movement's peak.

Key detail: Women earned 88 cents for every dollar men earned in 2025; Steinem spent over five decades advancing women's economic independence and legal rights through journalism, protests, books, and advocacy.

Source: Toronto Star

Next step: Honor her legacy by continuing the fight for equality and closing the gender pay gap.

6. Income Disparity Drives Birth Rate Gap

The Globe And Mail (ottawa/quebec Edition) reports that a new Statistics Canada study reveals women in the top 20 percent of family incomes are twice as likely to have a first child compared to those in the lowest income bracket. Released earlier this week, the 2023 data shows a 14.1-percent birth likelihood for affluent women aged 22 to 39, versus a mere 5.6-percent chance for lower-earning counterparts. Experts anticipate this growing disparity will intensify as having children becomes increasingly tied to household wealth.

Why it matters: Economic advantage increasingly determines who becomes a parent, deepening inequality.

Key detail: Women in the top 20 percent of family incomes are twice as likely to have a first child (14.1 percent) compared to those in the lowest income bracket (5.6 percent).

Source: The Globe and Mail

Next step: Consider policy implications for family support and affordable childcare.

7. Leylah Fernandez Pays Tribute to 9/11 Heroes at US Open

Le Journal de Quebec reports that Leylah Fernandez paid homage to the resilience of New York City after losing the US Open final to Emma Raducanu on September 11, 2021. Five years later, the Quebecker reflected on her viral speech that honored the victims of the 9/11 attacks and recognized by firefighters across the city. Fernandez expressed gratitude for her family's education and stated she never takes anything for granted, cherishing her connection to the New York community.

Why it matters: A powerful moment of resilience and cross-border solidarity that resonates globally.

Key detail: The Quebecker honored New York City firefighters after losing the 2021 US Open final, expressing gratitude for her family's education and never taking anything for granted.

Source: Le Journal de Quebec

Next step: Follow Fernandez's continued impact on and off the tennis court.

8. Public-Sector Women 34.3% More Likely to Have First Child

The Globe And Mail reports that a Statscan report finds birth rates for public-sector workers were higher regardless of income level. The report observed that economic advantage plays an increasing role in who becomes a parent, with women in the highest-income families 2.5 times more likely to have a child than those in the lowest-income families in 2023. Prof. Adshade affirmed that the expense of raising children, particularly child care, holds back couples, while financial planner Kelly Ho noted groceries and household items also impact family finances and decisions about having children.

Why it matters: Workplace policies and childcare access shape family decisions across income levels.

Key detail: Public-sector workers show higher birth rates regardless of income; Prof. Adshade notes that the expense of raising children, particularly childcare, holds back couples.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Next step: Advocate for affordable childcare and family-friendly workplace policies.

Which of these stories resonates most with you? Share your thoughts and continue the conversation on women and gender issues across Canadian media.