Update on pay equity in Canada

Here is an email I received from a Senator as to the status of Bill C-10. This email sounds like a bunch of pleasing platitudes to pacify the masses. I really hope that "the motion to send the subject matter of Bill C-10 to appropriate committees for further study" is not just doublespeak for fuck you.

Dear Sir/Madam:

Please allow me to update you on the current status of Bill C-10. I appreciate your concern with regards to the passage of the bill and the government’s inclusion in the bill of so many questionable provisions that appear to have little connection with the Budget itself.

On March 12th, 2009, the Senate voted to pass Bill C-10 in order to help unemployed Canadians receive five extra weeks of employment insurance benefits. Hidden in the Conservative budget was a retro-active provision which provided for these benefits and which would not have been available to a great many workers and their families had we not acted swiftly to allow the bill to pass when we did.

However, your concerns, and the concerns of the thousands of Canadians that have contacted my office, have not gone unnoticed. To address these concerns and properly study all aspects of the bill, Liberal Senators convinced the government to agree to a motion to send the subject matter of Bill C-10 to appropriate committees for further study. Please find attached a copy of this motion.

The process we have adopted will allow concerned citizens and organizations to appear before our committees and participate in the review process. I can assure you that the outcome of these proceedings will be taken very seriously. The Leader of the Opposition, Michael Ignatieff, has committed to carefully consider the Senate committee reports and take appropriate legislative action.

I wish to thank you once again for taking the time to write to me. I know that the Senate committees would also appreciate hearing from you on the government’s budget implementation legislation.

Yours truly,

Joseph A. Day
Senator