Proactive Pay Equity Legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador: Put money back in the pockets of women and marginalized people.
August 14, 2022
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
In a new report, the St. John’s Status of Women Council takes a close look at the pay equity landscape in Newfoundland and Labrador, including the wage gap, and federal, provincial and territorial legislation across Canada. Contributing to public discourse on pay equity in Newfoundland and Labrador, this report shows how proactive pay equity legislation is a key component in increasing social and economic equity in the province.
Our report outlines a consistent trend across Canada showing where there is proactive legislation there are lower gender wage gaps. In Canada where pay equity has been legislated, over the past twenty years most provinces saw the largest average incomes increase during the year following legislation. These observations are in line with both local and international experts who deem pay equity legislation as one tool of many to increase equitable working conditions and economic growth. In Canada, experts say that no jurisdiction can eliminate economic inequality without pay equity legislation. Above all, pay equity as a human right in Canada. Pay equity legislation is supported by the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, Oxfam Canada, the Canadian Labour Congress and the Supreme Court of Canada.
The St. John’s Status of Women Council calls on the government of Newfoundland and Labrador to implement proactive pay equity legislation in both public and private sectors with funding for well-resourced oversight bodies to ensure consistent employer accountability. Proactive pay equity legislation can go beyond gender, working to address our province’s enormous wage gap, and to protect workers who are racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+ and living with disabilities who have been historically overrepresented in work that is both undervalued and underpaid.
“Women and marginalized people cannot keep paying the cost of government’s reluctance to take meaningful steps towards equity.” – Bridget Clarke, Advocacy Coordinator
As part of our work towards social and economic justice for women and marginalized people, we are digging deeper into pay equity in the form of this report as a case for wide-reaching proactive pay equity legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador. This report was produced with input and support from the Provincial Action Network on the Status of Women, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour and Workers’ Action Network Newfoundland and Labrador.
Read the full report:
CONTACT INFORMATION
Bridget Clarke, Advocacy Coordinator
709-753-0220
bridget@sjwomenscentre.ca
Lisa Faye, Executive Director
709-765-4434
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