The time for study and consultation is over – the time to act is now
The Liberal government has deferred justice for working women by delaying the introduction of pay equity legislation until the end of 2018, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said today.
“We are disappointed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is using stalling tactics while women across the federal sector face years more of pay discrimination,” said Mark Hancock, national president of CUPE. “The government could introduce legislation this fall, but it has chosen instead to delay. We don’t need more study. We don’t need more consultations. We need action.”
Yesterday, the Liberal government issued its response to the Report of the Special Committee on Pay Equity. While acknowledging the gender wage gap and the need for a proactive pay equity model, the government has now said it will wait years before acting. CUPE is repeating its call for pay equity legislation without further delay.
Canada’s largest union is also calling for the repeal of the Public Sector Equal Compensation Act, brought in by the previous Conservative government in 2009. “This legislation limits the rights of women in the federal public service to challenge wage discrimination and should be repealed immediately”, Hancock said.
“Canadian women need proactive pay equity legislation,” Hancock said. “As we told the Committee in April, pay equity laws in Quebec and Ontario have offered tested models, recognized internationally, for decades. The federal government could easily draft an effective law within months, if it had the will.”
There is no reason to go back to the drawing board with consultations, Hancock said. The 2004 Pay Equity Task Force did that work, with thorough research and expert input over many months. By proposing consultations, the federal government is stalling, holding back wage justice for tens of thousands of workers.
“Last year, Trudeau raised the hopes of millions of women by declaring that, because it’s 2015, of course women should be better represented in cabinet,” Hancock said. “Now it’s 2016, and the Liberals seem to be faltering on their commitment to delivering on women’s fundamental human rights.”