In October of this year, the Supreme Court of Canada found in NAPE vs. Newfoundland and Labrador that it was acceptable for provincial governments to violate women’s equality and human rights if they claim an impending fiscal crisis.

Women in Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed across the country, reject this dangerous precedent. Women’s fundamental right to pay equity cannot be compromised in order to avoid a potential deficit.

We invite you to join us in a campaign to protest this decision. We have prepared a backgrounder on the details of the case, and letters (attached) to:

• Danny Williams (Premier of Newfoundland Labrador) which asks him to live up to his pay equity obligations to the thousands of hospital workers in Newfoundland and Labrador who continue to be under-paid;
• Prime Minister Paul Martin - urging him to uphold the federal government’s obligations to protect and promote women’s equality and human rights and to contribute to the costs associated with pay equity claims.

We invite you to support our campaign by signing on to our letters to the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador and the federal government.

If you wish to do so, please reply to this e-mail - npeckford@fafia-afai.org and include the following information:

Name of organization:
Name of contact person:
Contact Info:

Your organization’s name will be added to these letters.

If you would like more information on this campaign, please contact FAFIA at 613-232-9505, x222.