(October 11, 2024, St. John’s, NL)
Helen Conway Ottenheimer, Shadow Minister for Women and Gender Equality and MHA for Harbour Main, is expressing her disappointment in the Minister of Women and Gender Equality for continuing to neglect the need for true pay equity in our province and ignoring the cries of advocacy groups.
Nearly two years after the flawed legislation was introduced in the House of Assembly, women and gender diverse individuals are still waiting for regulations which would implement this step towards pay equity.
“The Minister’s inaction, noting that there is nothing new to report, is a disservice to the women and gender diverse individuals of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Conway Ottenheimer. “Despite their claims of progress, the reality is that the legislation they brought forward simply did not go far enough. Now women and gender diverse individuals are being forced to wait for regulations.”
Conway Ottenheimer echoed the sentiments of the St. John’s Status of Women Council’s Bridget Clarke, who pointed out that the Minister rushed and neglected the legislation without properly consulting with essential stakeholder groups.
"The Minister has a duty and a responsibility to respond to, listen to and engage with these important groups who represent women and gender diverse individuals in our province. Their dismissal is a disappointment to women and gender diverse individuals in this province who depend on her to protect their rights and protect them from discrimination,” said Conway Ottenheimer.
Conway Ottenheimer explained “The fact that the Government rushed the legislation without properly consulting demonstrates a lack of genuine commitment to understanding and addressing pay equity. In addition to needing the overdue regulations now, we need new, impactful legislation, developed through a consultation process to ensure that the voices of those affected are heard and considered.”
“For too long, the issue of pay equity has only been given lip service. It’s time for equal pay for work of equal value in Newfoundland and Labrador and it’s time for both the Premier and Minister to commit to finally releasing the long overdue regulations and new legislation,” concluded Conway Ottenheimer.
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