The Equal Pay Commissioner (the commissioner) is appointed by the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly for a four-year term.
He/she is responsible for ensuring the right to equal pay for work of equal value as established under Section 40 of the Public Service Act. The Act applies to the NWT Public Service and designates three separate establishments: the GNWT public service; the NWT Power Corporation; and teachers.
The Act is concerned with work that, while different, is equal in value as measured by the skill, effort and responsibility required as well as the working conditions under which it is performed. It requires that employees performing work of equal value within the same establishment receive the same pay regardless of their sex.
The commissioner receives and investigates complaints about possible violations of this right to equal pay for work of equal value. The commissioner is also responsible for promoting awareness and understanding of the right to equal pay for work of equal value.
The commissioner submits annual reports to the Legislative Assembly. You can find them digitally (see below) or contact the Legislative Library for paper copies.
YELLOWKNIFE (October 10, 2023) – The Speaker, on the recommendation of the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly, has recommended the appointment of an Acting Equal Pay Commissioner, Ms. Renée Caron.
Under the Public Service Act, the Speaker, on the recommendation of the Board of Management of the Legislative Assembly, may appoint an acting Equal Pay Commissioner to hold office until a person is appointed as Equal Pay Commissioner. Ms. Renée Caron’s appointment as Acting Equal Pay Commissioner takes effect October 30, 2023.
Renée Caron has been a leader at the executive level in pay equity operations and policy for nearly 15 years. Recently, she played a key role in the development of the federal Pay Equity Act. She has more than 25 years of experience in employment and labour relations, including at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, the Privy Council Office, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, and in the private sector. She authored the seminal text, Employment in the Federal Public Service, published by Canada Law Book and cited by the Public Service Labour Relations Board, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada. Ms. Caron holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie University and a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
A competitive process to recruit an Equal Pay Commissioner will be initiated within the 20th Assembly. The Equal Pay Commissioner is appointed for a four-year term by the Legislative Assembly. They are responsible for ensuring that the right to equal pay for work of equal value in the Public Service Act is protected. That right applies to employees in the NWT public service and the NWT Power Corporation, and to teachers. It requires their employers to pay all employees who perform work of equal value the same rate of pay, regardless of sex. The Commissioner receives and investigates complaints about the right to equal pay for work of equal value.
Contact: info@reneecaron.ca
Did you know: September 18 is International Equal Pay Day?
The Northwest Territories fomer Equal Pay Commissioner Bronwyn Watters shares her perspective on the value of this day in the NWT:
“Equal Pay Day is an important recognition of the fact that, as a matter of fairness, justice and dignity, workers should receive equal pay for work of equal value, regardless of gender. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has enshrined this principle in Section 40 of the Public Service Act and, through its job evaluation and compensation system ensures its consistent application in practice. As Equal Pay Commissioner, I am responsible for ensuring that the right to equal pay for work of equal value in the Public Service Act continues to be protected. It is critical that we continue to recognize this basic human right and remain diligent in ensuring it is upheld across the public service including teachers and the NWT Power Corporation.”
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