Gender pay gap bill not perfect, but it’s a good start

Those working to close the pay gap between men and women in Ontario say it doesn’t go far enough. Those who defend paying men and women different wages for doing the same work say it goes too far.

And those who just don’t like anything the Wynne government does condemn even the most positive initiative.

Everyone’s equally unhappy, which probably means the government’s new attempt to close the gender pay gap is about right.

With its so-called “pay transparency” bill, the government isn’t reinventing the wheel. The new legislation, introduced this week no doubt to coincide with International Women’s Day today, reflects similar efforts implemented elsewhere. Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom all have similar measures, and are seeing results.

According to StatsCan, Canadian women earn 87 cents to men’s $1 an hour. In Ontario, the gender wage gap is recorded at between 12 and 29 per cent, depending on the workplace involved.

Critics point out there are other reasons for the gap, including lifestyle and family choices. Fair enough. But that doesn’t excuse such a significant difference. Clearly, this remains a systemic problem and earlier efforts, which have been significant, haven’t moved the needle enough.

Here’s what the new rules say. If passed, the bill would require all publicly advertised job postings to include a salary range.

It would not allow employers to ask applicants about previous compensation. And it would prohibit employers from disciplining employees who discuss or disclose compensation.

And then there’s the most significant aspect: Large employers would be required to track and report compensation gaps related to gender or other diversity characteristics.

And that information would have to be disclosed to the provincial government.

The rule would first apply to Ontario public service jobs, then to companies that employ more than 500, and finally to those that employ more than 250 workers.

In jurisdictions with similar measures, the gender pay gap has been closed by up to half when compared to Ontario. The labour ministry has used Iceland as an example, where the gap has been reduced to between six and 18 per cent using this strategy.

So what’s not to like?

Advocates say it doesn’t go far enough. They point out that a significant percentage of working women in Ontario work for employers below 250, and they won’t be helped by the new guidelines.

Fair point.

The government was no doubt trying to avoid levying new infrastructure expenses on small businesses, especially when they’re already complaining about government red tape. But the complaint is legitimate and the government needs to address that. The solution is only good if it covers all, or nearly all, working women.

The NDP is condemning this as just another attempt to win votes. No doubt. But is the NDP — of all parties — really objecting to a measure that has proven effective in other jurisdictions being used here, on this issue? Does that mean the NDP wouldn’t enact similar legislation to reduce the gap?

Regardless of timing and motivation, this is a good idea. It’s needed. Partisan interests come second.

Clearly, this remains a systemic problem and earlier efforts, which have been significant, haven’t moved the needle enough.