Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This motion is on the resolution of the pay equity issue in the Northwest Territories:
WHEREAS there is a complaint outstanding for ten years that the rates of pay in the collective agreement that were negotiated by the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers remunerate male and female employees for performing work of equal value;
AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint are unfair to affected employees who have been denied the right to be paid the same as other employees who are doing work of equal value;
AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint are unfair to the interests of other groups as long as this long outstanding complaint creates uncertainty for those who rely on government services and programs for their social and economic well being;
AND WHEREAS delays in resolving the pay equity complaint create uncertainty in the clear division of assets and liabilities in the creation of two new territories on April 1, 1999;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers have both indicated a desire to resolve the pay equity complaint through negotiations;
AND WHEREAS the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits employers from establishing or maintaining differences in wages between male and female employees who are performing work of equal values;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers are currently in negotiations for the revision and renewal of the Collective Agreement which expires on March 31, 1998;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers would be in contravention of the Canadian Human Rights Act if they signed a collective agreement that does not rectify the pay equity problem;
AND WHEREAS the Government of the Northwest Territories has provided assurances that every reasonable effort will be made to minimize the impact a settlement would have on government employment and client service levels;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Iqaluit, that this Legislative Assembly supports the principle of equal pay for men and women doing work of equal value;
AND FURTHER that the Legislative Assembly strongly urges the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Union of Northern Workers to work together in collective bargaining to negotiate fair compensation to affected employees and rates of pay that treat men and women equally for performing work of equal value;
AND FURTHERMORE that the Government of the Northwest Territories makes every reasonable effort to achieve pay equity and resolve the pay equity complaint and other employee wage and benefit cost issues within the timeframe for inclusion in a new collective agreement and in a manner that minimizes the impact of the settlement on government employment and client service levels.