Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) - Canada (Ratification: 1972)

Gender pay gap and statistics. The Committee referred previously to a detailed study from Statistics Canada on gender-based statistics, indicating a significant gender wage gap, which seemed to have stagnated. The Committee notes that no comparable data were provided for the reporting period under review, and that data available from Statistics Canada on wages in different occupations do not appear to be disaggregated by sex. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the specific measures taken to collect and compile statistical data on the earnings of men and women, as far as possible as outlined in the Committee’s 1998 general observation, and to provide such data in its next report. Noting that a consensus regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Pay Equity Task Force could not yet be achieved, the Committee asks the Government to provide information on whether continuing efforts are being made to reach a consensus with a view to implementing the recommendations. The Committee also requests information on the results achieved under the proactive three-stage Pay Equity Program.

Article 3. Objective job evaluation. The Committee notes the information provided regarding the status of the classification modernization programme being undertaken in the federal public service. The Committee also notes that implementation of the new gender-neutral classification system for the public sector in Newfoundland and Labrador was scheduled to begin in April 2008. In addition, job evaluation studies have been undertaken under the New Brunswick Wage Gap Action Plan. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the results achieved with respect to equal remuneration for work of equal value through the classification modernization system, the new gender-neutral classification system, the job evaluation studies under the Wage Gap Action Plan, and any other similar initiatives. Please also provide a copy of the guidelines on classification monitoring developed by the Canadian Public Service Agency. The Committee would also appreciate information on the measures taken with respect to promoting objective job evaluation methods in the private sector.

Article 4. Cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations. The Committee notes that the federal three-stage Pay Equity Program involves unions and employers’ organizations in education and promotional activities. It also notes with interest the establishment of a number of labour–management pay equity committees referred to in the Government’s report, with detailed mandates, including recommending a job evaluation tool and methodology, conducting job analysis, and making recommendations. The Committee also notes that three pay equity agreements have been concluded in Quebec in the health and education sectors, and in the public service, resulting in a pay adjustment of between approximately 5 and 6 per cent. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on any cooperation with workers’ and employers’ organizations for the purpose of giving effect to equal remuneration for men and women for work of equal value. The Committee would also welcome information on the practical impact of the labour–management initiatives in narrowing the gender pay gap.

Enforcement. The Committee notes the information provided regarding complaints filed and decisions rendered relevant to equal remuneration in the federal jurisdiction, Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories. The Committee also notes the measures taken in Quebec to decrease the delays in addressing equal pay matters through the Pay Equity Commission, and the success of the conciliation service offered in this context. The Committee asks the Government to continue to provide information on the number and nature of complaints filed relating to equal remuneration, as well as relevant judicial and administrative decisions. The Committee hopes that in future this information will also be provided regarding all the provinces and territories.