Equal Pay Program - EPP

To Whom Does This Apply?

Eligible Area

All Canadian provinces and territorires.

Eligible Activities

Any federally regulated workplace in Canada.

Summary

Section 182, Part III of the Canada Labour Code empowers designated officers to inspect all records of federally regulated employers to find out whether discrimination in pay based on gender exists. If discrimination is found, the officer may refer the matter to the Canadian Human Rights Commission for investigation and resolution, or file a complaint with the Commission.

The Labour Program has the following three-step process in order to determine employer compliance and to respond to non-compliance.

Step 1: Education

The first step is an educational visit. It is intended to inform federal jurisdiction employers of their obligations with respect to the equal pay legislation and to advise them of the means to fulfill these obligations.

Step 2: Monitoring

The second step is a monitoring visit to these same employers to answer technical questions, to verify the employer's progress on implementation, and to obtain general information. Monitoring visits will be conducted throughout the implementation process.

Step 3: Audit or Inspection

The final step is an on-site inspection. On-site audits are arranged with employers who report that they have fully implemented an equal pay program. When employers have not taken any action to review their compensation system for gender discrimination, the Labour Program can schedule an inspection. If the inspector identifies reasonable grounds for believing that gender-based wage discrimination exists, then the case may be referred to the Canadian Human Rights Commission for investigation and resolution.

Other Equal Pay Program Activities

The Labour Program undertakes a range of activities to ensure that clients understand and are able to comply with the provisions of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canada Labour Code. These activities include:

• the provision of advice and counselling to employers, unions, employees and employer organizations on a wide range of technical issues;
• seminars for employers and labour organizations;
• Web site, publications and speeches to ensure a better understanding of pay equity in the federal jurisdiction; and
• internal training of field staff who are responsible for the delivery of the Equal Pay Program through Labour's regional offices.

Additional Information
For more information, visit the "Equal Pay Program" page on the HRSDC's Web site or contact a workplace equity officer in your province/region (see list below). You may also call Labour Program, HRSDC at (819) 953-7416.

• Equal Pay Program

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this section is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. For particular questions, the users are invited to contact their lawyer. For additional information, see contact(s) listed below.

Ontario Contact(s):
Metro York District Office
Labour Program
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
Penthouse
4900 Yonge Street
North York, Ontario  M2N 6A4
Telephone: (416) 954-5900
Toll-free (information): 1-866-854-8888