Advancing gender equality is not just good for women, it’s good for all Canadians. When Canadian women can count on equal pay for work of equal value, our economy grows stronger, families prosper and communities thrive. That’s why, on October 29, 2018, the Government of Canada introduced a proactive pay equity regime that will ensure that women and men in federally regulated workplaces, including the federal private sector, the federal public service, Parliamentary workplaces, Prime Minister’s and Ministers’ offices, receive equal pay for work of equal value.

“Proactive pay equity is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. We have taken action because when people are treated fairly and are given an equal opportunity to succeed and to reach their full potential, we all benefit.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“Today is an historic day, because when Canadian women in federally regulated industries can count on equal pay for work of equal value, our economy becomes stronger, families prosper, and communities thrive. Equality is a driver of economic growth, and our plan to grow the middle class while advancing equality is working. We know there is more work to do and we will continue to work with Canadians every step of the way.”
– The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality

“In everything we do, our Government is motivated by a simple but powerful idea – to provide Canadians with the opportunity to realize their full potential. This historic legislation builds on our commitment to a better, stronger, more equitable Canadian economy.”
– The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada and Minister for Digital Government

• In Canada in 2017, for every dollar a man earned, a woman earned 88.5 cents on the dollar as measured in hourly wages for full-time workers. When comparing overall earnings on an annual basis, women earned even less – just 69 cents for every dollar earned by men.

• Since 1977, the Canadian Human Rights Act has recognized pay equity as a right for employees in the federal jurisdiction under a complaint-based system (section 11). As a result, it does not require employers to actively examine their compensation practices; instead, the onus is placed on employees to bring complaints forward to redress instances of pay discrimination. A proactive system would take that burden off employees and would instead require employers to undertake a pay equity analysis to ensure that their compensation practices are in line with pay equity requirements.

• Legislation to modernize federal labour standards and improve the Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP) also received Royal Assent today. Changes to federal labour standards will better protect Canadian workers and help set the stage for good quality jobs. Improvements to the WEPP will increase the maximum financial support provided to workers who are owed wages when their employer files for bankruptcy or enters receivership.

Associated links

• Government Continues Efforts to Bring Equality and Growth to the Middle Class - Department of Finance Canada
• Government of Canada introduces historic proactive pay equity legislation
• Proactive Pay Equity Backgrounder
• What we Heard: Pay Equity Consultations
• Equality and Growth Backgrounder

Véronique Simard
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
veronique.simard@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5611

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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