Equal pay for work of equal value - Legislation for federally regulated workplaces to be tabled by the end of 2018

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Equal pay for work of equal value is a human right. Pay equity between men and women, and fair treatment of all workers in the workplace, regardless of gender, is critical for creating growth and a thriving middle class.

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women, the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, and the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, announced that the Government of Canada has tabled its response in Parliament to the report of the House of Commons Special Committee on Pay Equity.

Reform of the existing complaint-based system for pay equity is critically important to this Government. The Government will embark on meaningful consultations and careful study of the issue, and table proactive pay equity legislation for federally regulated workplaces by the end of 2018, which will require employers to regularly and proactively review their compensation systems, identify any gender-based disparities, and take measures to address them.

The Government will deliver pay equity reform, drawing upon the recommendations of the Special Committee, and engaging with experts and stakeholders. The new pay equity system will be robust and responsive to the needs of all types of federally regulated workplaces, from the public service to small businesses.

The Government's work to address gender inequality in Canada and around the world does not stop with pay equity. Delivering real change on these issues is an ongoing effort that will require continued hard work across government.

The Government of Canada thanks the members of the Special Committee on Pay Equity for their hard work on this very important issue.

Quotes

"Having a gender wage gap in Canada in 2016 is unacceptable. Our government believes strongly in the principle of equal pay for work of equal value and the fair treatment of all workers in the workplace, and we are committed to taking actions to help close the gender wage gap, support the economic advancement of women, and reduce income inequality."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Status of Women

"Pay equity is a human right. Proactive pay equity legislation is one of the many measures our Government is putting forward to help reduce the gender wage gap, which will strengthen the Canadian middle class and help the many women working hard to join it."
– The Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"The Government of Canada reaffirms that equal pay for work of equal value is a human right. To promote and protect the right of women to be full participants in the economic, social and democratic life of our country is in the best interest of all Canadians. As the largest federally regulated employer, the Treasury Board intends to lead by example."
– The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

Quick Facts

• Pay equity is a human right under the Canadian Human Rights Act.
• Pay equity legislation is intended to address the portion of the gender wage gap caused by the systemic undervaluing of work traditionally performed by women.
• According to the Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, in 2015, for every dollar earned by men, women earn about 87 cents in the federal private sector and Crown corporations.
• The gender wage gap in the federal public service, calculated as the difference between the average hourly wages of all men and all women, was 9.5 percent in 2014–2015.

Associated Link
Report of the Special Committee on Pay Equity: It's Time to Act (PDF version)

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SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

Contacts: For Employment and Social Development Canada: Carlene Variyan, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable MaryAnn Mihychuk, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, [email protected], 819-654-5611; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]; For the Treasury Board Secretariat: Jean-Luc Ferland, Press Secretary, Office of the President of the Treasury Board, 613-369-3163, Media Relations, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 613-369-3170, TTY 613-369-9371, Follow us on Twitter: @TBS_Canada; For Status of Women Canada: Matt Pascuzzo, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Status of Women, 613-291-5561; Nanci-Jean Waugh, Director General, Communications and Public Affairs, Status of Women Canada, 819-420-6810