Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The purpose of this statement is to set out the government's plan for dealing with pay equity during the 1997-98 collective bargaining. The concept of pay equity, Mr. Speaker, is one that I fully endorse and support. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, how can one argue against the principle of paying employees equally for doing similar or substantially similar work as set out under the Northwest Territories legislation or doing work of equal value as provided for under federal legislation? The issue before us is not with the principle of pay equity. The issue before us today is one of uncertainty. How do we achieve pay equity? What will it cost? Who are the winners and who are the losers?
As you are aware, Mr. Speaker, there is an outstanding pay equity complaint. That complaint has been referred to a Tribunal pursuant to the Canadian Human Rights Act. Mr. Speaker, addressing a pay equity complaint is an extremely complex process. It involves the comparisons of actual evaluations of positions with evaluations against a gender neutral job evaluation system. It involves statistical models for identifying and comparing female and male jobs to determine if there are any wage gaps. It involves the examination of reasonable factors that may justify differences in male and female wages.
Mr. Speaker, the UNW and the government have commenced a mediation process for examining these complex issues. The objectives of a mediation process are to facilitate a negotiated settlement of the pay equity complaint and to expedite the Tribunal hearing process in the event that negotiations are unsuccessful. We are hopeful, however, that the Tribunal process will be unnecessary as our objective for the mediation process is to structure a settlement proposal that we can table with the UNW at collective bargaining and place before the Tribunal.
Mr. Speaker, this brings me to the two other areas of uncertainty about pay equity that I mentioned. What is the cost? Who are the winners? Who are the losers? Mr. Speaker, there has been much speculation over the years about what it would cost to resolve the pay equity complaint. I will not add today to that speculation. In the mediation process the parties examine job evaluation data, statistical methodologies and reasonable factors to determine any gender wage gaps that may exist. The parties must negotiate a responsible and fair settlement that is acceptable to the government, the UNW and the employees it represents.
I realize, Mr. Speaker, that implementing a new job evaluation system and resolving the pay equity complaint will result in an overall increase in the cost of the public service. I am hopeful, Mr. Speaker, that we can absorb this increased cost through initiatives already taken to balance the books. It is important, however, that the issue be resolved with a negotiated agreement that is financially responsible. The challenge before us is to find a solution that makes everyone a winner. A settlement that we cannot afford would require further large scale program reductions. Mr. Speaker, the losers from large scale program reductions would be the population of the north who rely on government programs and services and employees who would lose their jobs as a necessary consequence of such large cuts. Yes, Mr. Speaker, employees.
Mr. Speaker, as the elected representatives of the people of the Northwest Territories, we must put our support making pay equity in the Northwest Territories a winning proposition for everyone. To do this, we must begin to bargain in good faith and show willingness to compromise in a way that is in the best interest of the population of the North.
Mr. Speaker, today, I have served formal notice to the UNW pursuant to the Public Service Act to commence collective bargaining for the renewal and revision of the Collective Agreement that expires on March 31, 1998. My staff have been instructed to meet with the UNW and work out a schedule that will see this matter settled before March 31, 1998.
--Hear! Hear!
Mr. Speaker, let us put an end to uncertainty. Let us turn the situation around and make everyone a winner. Let us advance the rights of women in the Northwest Territories by finding a pay equity solution that is financially responsible and fair. Let us lend our support to the government and the union negotiators in finding an early settlement, one that can be recommended to this government and union membership for ratification. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause