BC Liberal MLA Cadieux introduces equal pay bill for fifth time

OPPOSITION Critic for Gender Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion and Sport Stephanie Cadieux has introduced the Equal Pay Reporting Act for the fifth time in the legislature.

Cadieux, MLA for Surrey South, noted that every day in British Columbia, women make incredible contributions to our schools, workplaces and communities. Despite their invaluable roles, women in B.C. continue to earn 18.6 per cent less than men. On average, women earn $5.90 less per hour than men.

“This is the largest pay gap in Canada and this is simply unacceptable,” said Cadieux. “Today, on International Women’s Day, I have re-introduced the Equal Pay Reporting Act to the Legislature so we can finally take action. As we look towards economic recovery, women need to play a key role and we cannot expect the full participation of women in our economy without equal pay.

“The bill would require businesses of a prescribed size to report the pay gap between their male and female employees. This encourages businesses to close the pay gap and provides support for female employees to negotiate equal wages.

“After the NDP promised equal pay legislation in the last election, I am hopeful that 2022 can be the year we can finally close the pay gap. Women in British Columbia deserve equality and it is time for the government to call the Equal Pay Reporting Act for debate.”

Meanwhile, Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes called for equal pay as B.C. has the largest gender pay gap in Canada and remains one of only four provinces without pay equity legislation in the country. As the Critic for Advanced Education, she also highlighted how the pay gap is reflected in B.C.’s post-secondary institutions.

“Women in B.C. make on average 18.6 per cent less than men despite the incredible educational achievement of women in the province,” said Oakes. “Numbers from Statistics Canada showed that 56.4 per cent of post-secondary graduates in 2019 were female, and fields like health, education, social and behavioural sciences, and law saw a large majority of female students. However, women continue to be underpaid.”

Oakes also pointed out that women are underrepresented in the post-secondary faculty, making up only 32.6 per cent despite women having majority representation among enrolled students.

“Within tenured faculty positions, men disproportionately hold the coveted positions of full professor, while women often hold assistant and associate professor positions,” added Oakes. “Female professors make, at best, 95 per cent of what male professors do. This is a pay gap that cannot be explained by age or rank alone, and exists even at the highest level of full professor.”

Oakes stressed how the pandemic has disproportionally impacted women and the government must do everything ​it can to help female employees in the workforce, starting with pay transparency legislature to close the pay gap.