79.1 Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value
Whereas, All Canadians have the right to work and working Canadian women should have equal opportunity with men in employment, with equal remuneration for that employment;
Whereas, Women comprise 51% of the Canadian population; 38.9% Canadian labour force; but the average salary of working women is only 60% of that of working men;
Whereas, In 1977 the Federal Government passed the Human Rights Act guaranteeing equal pay for work of equal value, and in September 1977 set up the Human Rights Commission to administer the Act;
Whereas, Such action has proven ineffective in controlling the continuing and increasing wage gap between male and female employees; and
Whereas, The existing legislation is excellent for females who have entered occupations traditionally considered male, but it does not encompass the majority of female workers, where there is no comparable position occupied by males within the same company; therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to enforce ‘the equal pay for work of equal value’ legislation;
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada request the Provincial Councils of Women to initiate similar action at the provincial level.