B.C. Moves Toward Pay Transparency Measures

A coalition of more than 125 leading BC organizations, academics, and advocates are calling on the BC government to urgently enact pay equity legislation.

In an open letter addressed to Premier David Eby and key cabinet ministers, the coalition reminded the government that a system of pay equity — not pay transparency — is what will close the gender pay gap in B.C.

“For over 110 years, people all over the world have reserved this day to show our respect for and recognize the achievements of women and girls,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour.

“We also know the fight for equality is ongoing. This is why we are taking the next step toward our commitment to introduce pay transparency in B.C.”

Pay equity legislation was briefly enacted in BC in 2001 under a previous NDP government, but it was soon rolled back. Two decades later, according to the coalition, BC is one of only a few jurisdictions in Canada without proactive pay equity legislation, and ties Alberta for having the worst gender pay gap in the country.

The coalition, which includes Indigenous organizations, workers’ rights group, labour unions, and law and policy advocates, says that BC needs legislation to tackle systemic pay discrimination that is harming the long-term economic security of women and marginalized people.

The coalition shared a set of recommendations for pay equity legislation. They include a robust enforcement regime, transparency in all aspects of compensation and worker protections, and broad application across all sectors so that workers across BC, in workplaces of all sizes, are guaranteed equal pay for equal work.