Lack of action on pay equity legislation 'shocking,' critics say

Opposition MHAs and at least one women's advocate say they're frustrated and disappointed after an access-to-information request revealed the Newfoundland and Labrador government's pay equity committee didn't meet for nearly three years.

According to a document obtained by CBC News, the interdepartmental committee cited by Liberal politicians as part of the government's action on pay equity met four times in 2018, once on June 12, 2019, and then didn't meet again until March 21 of this year.

On Tuesday, the PCs' critic for women and gender equality, Helen Conway Ottenheimer, told reporters she was "completely floored" to learn the committee had gone so long without meeting.

"We were led to believe that the interdepartmental committee was doing work, was reviewing the research that had been done," shesaid. "We learned that for three years there was no meeting."

Conway Ottenheimer pointed out that the March meeting occurred just six days after she asked Pam Parsons, the minister responsible for women and gender equality, during question period if shewould commit to implementing pay equity legislation. Conway Ottenheimer said the lack of meetings points to a lack of action.

"I'm at the point where I want to know what kind of work you're doing. Show us. Show us the work that you are doing," she said.

Parsons saidthe timing of the March meeting was "absolutely not" connected with the pay equity question from the opposition.

"That's just political theatrics," she said.

Parsons, who became minister in April 2021, said work onpay equity has been "ongoing"outside committee meetings.She declined to give a timeline for implementing pay equity legislation, but said she "can't wait" for the day when that changes.

"I can't emphasize enough that it is a top priority of this premier and of this government and certainly me," she said.

Equal pay for equal value

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of just four provinces and territories across the country, and the only in Atlantic Canada, that have not implemented pay equity legislation.

In 2017, then MHA Gerry Rogers introduced a private member's bill asking the provincial government to develop pay equity legislation, which the government unanimously supported. Though the government formed the interdepartmental committee, it has not enacted the legislation.

Bridget Clarke, advocacy co-ordinator for the St. John's Status of Women Council, whichhas been calling for that legislation, said the lack of committee meetings is "shocking" and "irresponsible."

"The more time that goes on, the more money is being held away from people who should be compensated equitably and fairly for equal value of work that they're doing," she said.

Clarke said the fact that so many other jurisdictions in Canada have implemented pay equity legislation should make the Newfoundland and Labrador government's job easier.

"There is ample opportunity for us to analyze, evaluate and replicate the kind of steps that we need to make proactive pay equity legislation the best that it can be," she said.

A silver bullet?

According to the council, women in Newfoundland and Labrador are paid 66 cents on the dollar. Clarke said pay equity is the principle of paying workers equal pay for work of equal value, regardless of their role.

Parsons has pointed to other initiatives, like the new wage grid for early childhood educators and $10-a-day child care, as ways the provincial government is helping women in the workforce.

In a statement, NDP women and gender equality critic Lela Evans said child care is not a substitute for pay equity.

"Pay equity legislation needs to be in place so all women and non-binary people in this province can be paid fairly, not just those with children," she said.

Parsons has said pay equity legislation won't be the "silver bullet" which will end the gender wage gap by itself. While Clarke agrees, she said, that isn't a reason for not implementing pay equity legislation.

"Our struggles are not isolated and the work toward gender and social equality must be holistic," Clarke said. "It must be wide-reaching. And, ultimately, pay equity is a fundamental human right."

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