‘Everything is at stake’: the fight for equal pay in Canadian football

K aylyn Kyle is an Olympic bronze medalist turned broadcaster with deep, personal experience playing for Canada. Speaking exclusively to Moving the Goalposts this week, Kyle says that when it comes to the labour dispute between Canada Soccer and the women’s national team: “Everything is at stake.”

Where are the funds? This is the resounding question defining the present fallout. It was asked pointedly by the Canadian Soccer Players’ Association (CSPA) in their original strike announcement. It was underlined by Kyle in speaking to the Guardian.

According to Kyle, both the men and women have been asking that question for quite some time. “When people ask for transparency, there seems to be none,” she says. “And that’s not only with the women’s team, this isn’t just a women’s team fight. It’s also with the men’s team. I’ve spoken to numerous people in and around the men’s team that never have clarity. They don’t have that communication. They don’t know what’s going on, because there’s no transparency. And I think the one biggest thing from talking to both sides, is everyone wants transparency. Everyone wants honest, open conversations. And there hasn’t been one.”

Despite historic success on the pitch, Canada Soccer announced severe budget cuts for 2023. Those cuts undercut key support for the women in a World Cup year. Seen as the final straw, the CSPA announced strike action before the SheBelieves Cup on 10 February. Canada Soccer threatened legal action if the women proceeded, which all but forced them to play.

The situation is in flux, but the key question is consistent: where are the funds?

Canada Soccer’s agreement with Canada Soccer Business has come under particular scrutiny as observers seek answers. And although