Equal Quote by Stephen Harper
“Now 'pay equity' has everything to do with pay and nothing to do with equity. It’s based on the vague notion of 'equal pay for work of equal value,' which is not the same as equal pay for the same job.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks on Pay Equity, Canada, 2015
The statement claims that pay equity is about equal wages, not about fairness, and that it confuses equal pay for equal work with equal pay for identical jobs.
In simple terms: Pay equity focuses on wages, not fairness.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the distinction between wage equality and broader equity.
Themes
labor policy
fairness
economics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
policy
controversial
When to use this quote
- government policy
- HR practices
- union negotiations
- public debate
Key Concepts
wage parity
value assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How should “value” of work be measured?
- Does focusing only on wages ignore other equity issues?
A Different Perspective
The definition of “equal value” can be subjective and contested.
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