The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Siobhan Coady,  Deputy Premier and President of Treasury Board:

Speaker, the advancement of women and marginalized people is important to our government. To ensure our public service employees are fairly and equitably compensated, we implemented a job evaluation system in 2015.

This system covers 85 per cent of core public service employees who work on the front line delivering programs and services to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The system addresses the four standard criteria recognized in all pay equity legislation for the purpose of job evaluation, which are skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions.

Our job evaluation system is just one example of how our government supports women, gender diverse and marginalized employees in the public service. Over 50 percent of the core public service, including senior management, directors and executive are female. We strive to foster a workplace that is supportive of women, including such policies as flexible work arrangements, family responsibility leave, and compassionate care leave.

Creating a truly equitable society takes action from everyone. I am glad to share how we are working towards that goal.

Thank you.