MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carla Qualtrough, not too long ago named Sports Minister in Canada, voiced her help for the nationwide workforce’s struggle for equal pay and help throughout a go to to a coaching camp in Melbourne earlier than its make-or-break Women’s World Cup match Monday in opposition to Australia.

“You’re never going to hear me say anything but ‘pay equity equals pay for work of equal value,’” Qualtrough stated. “Our women deserve equal opportunities as our men, and we’re gonna make sure they have it.”

Canada should keep away from a loss to co-host Australia within the final group-stage sport to ensure it advances to the Women’s World Cup knockout spherical.

The go to by Qualtrough, who took up her submit Wednesday, follows the workforce releasing a social media statement Friday asserting an interim agreement reached with Canada Soccer. The deal covers the gamers’ compensation for 2023, together with Women’s World Cup prize cash.

“The women are desperate to have equal treatment,” Qualtrough stated. “I’m confident that we’re going to get there, but we all have to keep going in this.”

The Olympic champions have been making an attempt to barter an equal pay settlement for greater than a 12 months. Their assertion expressed “disappointment” with the interim deal.

“It was kind of nice to hear a message from home about some of the inspiration we’re providing,” Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming stated of Qualtrough’s go to.

Qualtrough stated the interim settlement was a “very good first step” however added she needed to be hesitant in her reply due to ongoing discussions between Canada Soccer and the gamers.

Qualtrough, a former Paralympic swimmer, stated she plans to satisfy with Canada Soccer officers and “really dig in on some of the issues (she’s) been watching unfold from the sidelines.”

“I’m behind the women 110%,” she stated.

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Savannah Hernandez is a pupil on the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

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AP Women’s World Cup protection: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports