PIPSC Welcomes Appointment of New Federal Pay Equity Commissioner

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada welcomes the appointment of Karen Jensen as the first federal Pay Equity Commissioner. This is an important step towards closing the gender pay gap in the federal public service and federally-regulated workplaces.

It is 2019, yet overall women are making 32 percent less than men, with Indigenous women and women with disabilities facing the steepest gender pay gaps, making between 45 and 56 percent less.

According to the government’s own release, as Canada's Pay Equity Commissioner, Ms. Jensen will play both the education and enforcement roles with regard to the new legislation, which sets out clear steps for employers to proactively achieve pay equity in their workplace. Working within the Canadian Human Rights Commission and supported by a unit of subject-matter experts, she will be responsible for assisting individuals in understanding their rights and obligations under the Act and facilitating the resolution of disputes related to pay equity.

Ms. Jensen brings a wealth of experience to this new role and PIPSC looks forward to working with her to ensure we achieve long-awaited proactive pay equity in our workplaces.


9 May 2018
Last month, I had the opportunity to represent PIPSC and the Canadian labour movement at the Labour 7 (L-7) summit in Ottawa. This was a preparatory meeting hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) leading up to the G-7 meeting this summer in Québec.

25 April 2018
Friends, I have great news! You finally have a union.

24 April 2018
Like all Canadians, members of the Institute are shocked by the senseless deaths and horrific injuries that occurred yesterday afternoon in Toronto. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

6 April 2018
Last week I had the opportunity to meet with the National Capital Region Liberal Caucus. I was grateful for the warm reception I received and know that many of the Members of Parliament rearranged their schedules to be able to attend. I used this opportunity to raise PIPSC’s continued concerns with the disastrous Phoenix pay system.

14 March 2018
Following tremendous pressure on the part of public service bargaining agents, the government has finally introduced some much-needed flexibility in the recovery of overpayments caused by Phoenix.

28 February 2018
I am pleased to report that yesterday’s federal Budget committed $16M towards the building of an alternative pay system to replace the disastrous Phoenix.