It is our considered view with respect to part 11 that it is not only unconstitutional, but it also creates an unworkable, self-defeating morass in which the concept of pay equity will not only not prosper and advance but will wither and die. This ought not to be the intent of Parliament.
In conclusion, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada believes that the laws proposed constitute a gross intrusion into and interference with the constitutional rights of our members generally and with our female members in particular with respect to pay equity law.
We believe that, at the very least, this legislation should be removed from the omnibus budget implementation legislation and referred to the appropriate committee of the House for in-depth study and analysis.
We would be pleased to appear before such a committee to propose amendments and approaches that would improve the legislation, while meeting the overall objective of having pay equity the subject of negotiations between the employer and the various public service unions.
Finally, Mr. Chairman—