Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to be able to answer the question of the hon. member, a question I asked in the House often from a seat very near to where she is sitting at this moment to the previous government.
I want to point out to her and to others who may be listening that pay equity is not simply a matter that affects women, but women and men working in groups that are dominated by females in any employment situation.
Since the proclamation of the Canadian Human Rights Act in 1978 by a Liberal government and the enshrinement of the principle of equal pay for work of equal value within section 11 of the act, the government, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, unions and employees have all worked in different ways to try to make it a reality.
Between 1985 and 1990, for instance, the government of the day sponsored a joint union-management study to actively seek out sex based disparities in salary. When this process collapsed the previous government unilaterally determined to pay over 70,000 employees retroactive payments of approximately $317 million and ongoing annual salary adjustments of roughly $81 million. As of March 1994 the government had paid over $700 million to affected employees.
The unions, however, believed that these payments were inadequate and submitted five new or revised equal pay complaints covering nine predominantly female occupational groups and asked for the appointment of a human rights tribunal.
Notwithstanding the assumption of the member's question, this tribunal has not yet rendered a decision. Another human rights tribunal did render a decision three years ago. This decision applied only to employees in the hospital services group. This decision has been implemented at a cost of approximately $32 million.
This government is interested in results and wants to achieve the important goal of economic equality for women in the public service. We have, therefore, already invited a dialogue with the unions. There has been one meeting and there are others planned with the purpose of reaching a mutually agreed upon negotiated settlement of the pay equity issue that is now before the human rights tribunal.
In fact, the government wishes to build ties of co-operation and confidence with the unions representing federal public servants. As for the agreements at the provincial level, the Quebec Government and the unions representing its workers are continuing their negotiations. There is no agreement yet.
In Ontario, the law requires specific measures according to a predetermined schedule. We fully intend to continue the implementation of pay equity as provided for by federal law.
The Canadian Human Rights Act was passed by a Liberal government and the present government is committed to this act, including the section dealing with pay equity.