Apply to Become Canada’s First Federal Pay Equity Commissioner

March 7, 2019              Gatineau, Quebec          Employment and Social Development Canada

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 is why the Government of Canada introduced proactive pay equity legislation for the federal jurisdiction. The Pay Equity Act is historic legislation that will ensure more women are fairly compensated for their hard work.

Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced the next steps to ensure effective oversight and administration of the Act: the call for applications for the position of Pay Equity Commissioner.

A Pay Equity Commissioner will be appointed within the Canadian Human Rights Commission and will play both education and enforcement roles with regard to the legislation. The Commissioner, supported by a unit of subject-matter experts, will be responsible for assisting individuals in understanding their rights and obligations under the Act and facilitating the resolution of disputes related to pay equity. The Commissioner will have dedicated funding and a range of enforcement tools, including the power to initiate audits, to conduct investigations, and to issue orders and administrative monetary penalties.

Interested candidates have until April 4^th to apply online. The Government is committed to open, transparent and merit-based processes for selecting Governor in Council (GIC) appointees. GIC appointees play a fundamental role in our democracy as they serve on commissions, boards, Crown corporations, agencies, and tribunals across the country.

Quotes

“Proactive pay equity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do, because when Canadian women can count on equal pay for work of equal value, our economy grows stronger, families prosper and communities thrive. Given the pool of diverse and talented Canadians we have to draw from, I know we will find a highly qualified candidate who will help ensure that more Canadians, regardless of their gender, are treated fairly. I strongly encourage all interested and qualified Canadians to apply.”

–The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

Quick facts

• The Pay Equity Act (An Act to Establish a Proactive Pay Equity Regime within the Federal Public and Private Sectors) creates a proactive pay equity regime that will ensure that women and men working in federally regulated workplaces, including the federal private sector, the federal public service, parliamentary workplaces, the Prime Minister’s and Ministers’ offices, receive equal pay for work of equal value. Introduced on October 28^th, 2018, the legislation received Royal assent on December 13^th, 2018 and is expected to come into force in 2020.
• The Pay Equity Act is expected to contribute to reducing the portion of the gender wage gap in federally regulated workplaces that is due to the undervaluation of work traditionally performed by women.

Associated links

• Government of Canada introduces historic proactive pay equity legislation
• Proactive Pay Equity Backgrounder
• Governor in Council Website

Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact:
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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