Since 1970, Canada has joined the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This convention insures that everybody, without distinction as to race, colour or national or ethnical origin, is equal before the law.

In order to give more weight to this principle, the parliament of Canada has adopted in 1977 the Canadian Human Rights Act. This law was followed in 1985 by the coming into effect of article 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter specifies that there is no exception to the law and that « Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability ».

Since the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms was mainly referring to aspects of life that come under federal jurisdiction, the provinces fell in step to introduce legislations that would cover the aspects of life that are not covered by the federal law. In doing this:

in 1987, Ontario adopts the Pay Equity Act, which was amended in 1993;
in 1988, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island both adopted their Pay Equity Act;
in 1989, New Brunswick adopts its Pay Equity Act;
in 1996, Quebec adopts its Pay Equity Act which is followed by the Charter of human rights and freedom.

In this, the Canadian educational institutions accede to the equal opportunity program in accordance with the existing law in their respective province.

Canada does not stop there. It participates with other countries members of the United Nation to introduce legislations that will allow the establishment of positive and proactive measures in the field of equity. Canadians are proud of the history of pay equity in Canada as well as in their province.

To learn more about equity in Quebec, visit the following website :