Pay Equity Round Table
Women have fought long and hard for the right to equal pay for work of equal value. With the passing of C-10 and the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act our Charter of Human Rights has been tarnished and the many women who have fought long and hard for pay equity have been told loud and clear that women’s equality means absolutely nothing to the Liberals and Conservatives who all voted in favour of this legislation.
In response to the passing of this legislation I hosted a pay equity round table this past March to discuss how best to fight this abhorrent legislation.
Here are a few of the fabulous ideas shared by the group:
• Bake sale to raise awareness about pay equity. Women pay 70 cents and men pay $1. The CLC did this on university and college campus to raise awareness of pay equity amongst young people.
• Coupons for women’s wages: “Get them while they last.” The following video is also a good example of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee0N4s3sORA
• A campaign in the fall: After September 17, women are working for free.
• An information booklet that can be distributed to interested organizations. It can be used to promote pay equity within organizations and externally.
• A Facebook campaign to engage young people and ask the government to repeal the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act.
Status of Women Committee
The Status of Women Committee (SWC) has wrapped up its study of the consequences and effects of the current Employment Insurance (EI) programs have on Women in Canada. The report will soon be available on the committee’s website: www.parl.gc.ca/fewo-e
On May 26, 2009 the committee also heard from the Minister of State for the Status of Women, Helena Guergis, in regard to the funding Estimates for Status of Women Canada.
The transcript of the meeting is available on the committee’s website.
The SWC will also be hearing from the Auditor General, Sheila Fraser and discussing her review of the failure of the Canadian government to implement gender-based analysis in the federal government departments.
Currently, the committee is studying the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act. The SWC is planning to begin its study on women and new technologies before the summer break.
Contact Irene Mathyssen: 416 West Block, House of Commons, K1A OA6 T: (613) 995-2901 F: (613) 943-8717
email: mathyi@parl.gc.ca web: www.irenemathyssen.ca