Kelowna 
New pay transparency legislation was introduced in British Columbia today, aimed at closing the gender pay gap in the province.
The legislation will require employers to include wage or salary ranges on all publicly advertised job postings, starting November 1st.
The provincial government expects that legislation will promote pay equity and make it easier for employees to know their worth in the labour market.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2022 women in British Columbia earned 17% less than men, with average hourly wages for men at $35.50, while women earned an average wage of $29.53 per hour. The gap is even higher for Indigenous, racialized, and newcomer women, with Indigenous women working full-time earning an average of $26.74 per hour, visible minority women earning an average of $27.44 per hour, and immigrant women earning an average of $28.78 per hour.
Per the news release, the legislation will also prohibit employers from asking prospective employees for pay history information, a practice that has been shown to contribute to the gender pay gap. Employers will also not be allowed to punish employees who disclose their pay to co-workers or potential job applicants.
The legislation also requires employers to publicly post reports on their gender pay gap, starting in November 2023. The requirement will be introduced gradually, by the number of employees, to give employers time to prepare as follows:
- Nov. 1, 2023: BC Public Service Agency and Crown corporations with more than 1,000 employees (ICBC, BC Hydro, WorkSafeBC, BC Housing, BC Lottery Corporation and BC Transit).
- Nov. 1, 2024: all employers with 1,000 employees or more
- Nov. 1, 2025: all employers with 300 employees or more
- Nov. 1, 2026: all employers with 50 employees or more
According to the news release, by June 1 every year, the Ministry of Finance will publish an annual report that will serve as centralized reporting of gender pay in British Columbia.
Regulations are being developed for the fall that will provide employers with more details about how they will be required to report on the pay gap. The goal is to ensure that addressing the pay gap goes beyond the gender binary, making British Columbia the first jurisdiction in Canada to take this approach.
Pay discrimination is prohibited in British Columbia under the Human Rights Code, and employees experiencing discrimination in the workplace, including pay discrimination, can file a claim with the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
B.C. says the new legislation will further strengthen the rights of employees and help promote pay equity in the province.
