Evidence of meeting #3 for Pay Equity in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was question.
A recording is available from Parliament.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
It might be a very quick thing.
I was thinking almost exactly along the same lines as Ms. Benson. I know that you don't have any solutions; we're not that far down the line. But I wonder if in our last minute and 30 seconds any of you might have some advice for us, at this point in our deliberations as we move forward into meeting witnesses and meeting with the ministers, in terms of our deliberations around pay equity legislation.
I'll just throw it open to all of you.
7:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy, Dispute Resolution and International Affairs, Labour Program, Department of Employment and Social Development
I would echo a suggestion one of my colleagues made earlier this evening, and that was to look closely at the two Canadian provinces that have gone along this path, and to ask them what worked, what didn't work, why they made certain decisions, and whether they're still happy with them. I think having real, concrete examples can only inform the thinking that this committee will be doing.
7:25 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Compensation and Labour Relations, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board Secretariat
I think simplicity is best when it can be achieved. Part of the complaint process is that it takes time, it takes money, and it's a complex process. If in the end it's something that is simpler, I think it would make progress.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anita Vandenbeld
Thank you very much.
I want to thank the witnesses and everybody for being here this evening.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday at 5:30, when we'll be discussing the work plan and also hearing from the library analyst for one hour.
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
Julie Dzerowicz Liberal Davenport, ON
Can I ask a final question before we break up?
There seems to be a number of questions around international examples. Is this something we can ask our library staff, or whoever, to maybe look at? It seems like the Scandinavian countries are leaders in pay equity. I wouldn't mind a little more research or information from Sweden and maybe from Finland. If I'm looking at the gender wage gap and at the world, I wouldn't mind also looking at New Zealand.
I'd be grateful for a sample of some of your “best in class” that might be relevant to our Canadian system. I think it would be very helpful. Is that possible?
7:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Anita Vandenbeld
That doesn't require a motion.
The committee wants to ask the library for a report on international comparisons.
7:25 p.m.
Julie Mackenzie Committee Researcher
Yes, we can clarify it on Wednesday when we go over the work plan. We can certainly do it. It's a question of timing, because there are so many meetings coming up that are quite dense. We can certainly put something together for you. It's a question of what and when it would be most helpful.