NDP calls for pay equity legislation by end of 2016

OTTAWA — New Democrats are calling on the Liberal government to act quickly and introduce proactive pay equity legislation. New Democrats were reacting to the report for the Special Committee on Pay Equity in the House of Commons this morning. The committee was struck back in February after the NDP won the government's support.

"We are glad that the Committee acknowledges that pay equity is a human right, and that there is need for proactive pay equity legislation," said Sheri Benson (Saskatoon West) NDP Labour Critic. "However, we are disappointed that the Committee does not recognize the urgency of the matter and has instead recommended extending the timeframe for the government to bring in much-needed legislation."

It has now been 12 years since the Pay Equity Task Force submitted its report to the government and 11 years since the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women recommended that the government implement the report in its entirety, calling for proactive pay equity legislation by October 31, 2005.

"Allowing the status quo to continue unnecessarily for another year and a half is to actively deny justice to women who have already been waiting for far too long," said Karine Trudel (Jonquière) NDP Deputy Labour Critic. "Pay equity is a human right and Canadian women should not be made to wait any longer to see their human rights realized."

New Democrats are calling on the Liberal government to act swiftly and introduce proactive pay equity legislation before the end of 2016.