Mr. Chairman, let me clarify first of all that the equal pay commissioner is not necessarily a full-time person who occupies a government office all the time and so on. The intention is that someone with the expertise needed will be hired on a retainer and will be used as required and will be paid accordingly. They will also be provided with office space and whatever support is necessary when they need to deal with equal pay issues. The other point, Mr. Chairman, is that because equal pay issues have to be dealt with as expediently as possible, we need someone who is able to drop whatever it is they are doing and focus their full attention on the equal pay issue in front of them. There is no assurance that anyone in the Human Rights Commission would be able to have that kind of flexibility. Thank you.
Joe Handley on Bill 13: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
In the Legislative Assembly on June 12th, 2003. See this statement in context.
Bill 13: An Act To Amend The Public Service Act
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
June 11th, 2003
Page 997
See context to find out what was said next.