Thank you for the question. I respect the Canada Industrial Relations Board. I don't want to make any negative comments about it, but it has no specific jurisdiction in this area. Pay equity is a matter which in our opinion should be dealt with outside the arena of labour negotiations and contracts. We believe that pay equity is a human rights issue. We think that the Canada Industrial Relations Board cannot intervene in a proactive and strategic manner to ask employers to prepare a plan to systematically redress pay inequalities in the public service, in other crown agencies and other federally regulated employers. The matter of pay equity, especially for women and also for other groups, is so important that there must be a specific institution devoted to promoting women's equality within federal bodies. That is our perspective on the matter.
On October 19th, 2010. See this statement in context.