Adoption of NDP Pay Equity Motion: A Step in the Right Direction to Reduce Inequalities

OTTAWA — The NDP’s pay equity motion that was adopted today will help lay the groundwork for tackling poverty across Canada and ending discrimination against women when it comes to equal pay for work of equal value, say New Democrats.

“For decades, New Democrats pushed hard for pay equity. With the adoption of our NDP motion today, the real work begins now and we can take concrete action towards real, tangible equality for women,” said NDP Status of Women Critic Sheila Malcolmson (Nanaimo—Ladysmith), who introduced the motion. “The wage gap discriminates against women and there’s no excuse for the fact that women in Canada continue to make substantially less than men.”

The NDP motion, which was their first opposition day motion this sitting, recognizes pay equity as a human right and urges the federal government to take immediate action. With the adoption of the motion, a special committee will be put together to develop an action plan to finally legislate equal pay for work of equal value.

“This is a proud moment for New Democrats and I’m pleased to stand with so many other MPs in the House voting for a motion that fights income inequality,” said NDP Deputy Labour Critic Karine Trudel (Jonquière). “It’s long past time for the federal government to step up and do everything it can to tackle the wage gap. Today is a victory for all women—Indigenous women, women living with disabilities, women of colour, transgender women. By working together, we can achieve wage equality for all women.”

In Canada, women working full time, year round, make only 77% of what men earn for work of equal value and there are signs the gap might be growing. Canada ranks 30th out of 34 OECD countries for wage equity.