The cost of the pay equity dispute amounts to $3,000,000 annually for this government. The government reports an 83 percent settlement rate. The government added that if they could locate the remaining employees, a 100 percent acceptance rate could be achieved, effectively retiring the pay equity issue for this government. The committee encourages the government to find and settle with the remaining employees. However, FMBS added that this process might be further complicated as the Bell Canada pay equity decision has been overturned.
The committee was also concerned with the financial implications of the next collective agreement with the teachers. The Minister advised the committee that the government and the union are still negotiating.