YELLOWKNIFE (December 7, 2021) – The Legislative Assembly has recommended the appointment of Ms. Bronwyn Watters as Equal Pay Commissioner.
By way of a Motion in the House, Ms. Watters’ appointment has been recommended to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, Mrs. Margaret Thom, pursuant to Section 40.2 of the Public Service Act. The appointment takes effect immediately.
Ms. Bronwyn Watters is a former Deputy Minister of Justice and of Human Resources, with a total of 35 years in the Government of the Northwest Territories. As Deputy Minister of Human Resources, she was the Chair of the Senior Management Job Evaluation Committee. She has extensive knowledge and familiarity with equal pay legislation, the GNWT’s Hay Plan and the GNWT’s job evaluation processes. Ms. Watters served on the NWT Human Rights Commission from 2012 until 2015 and is a current member of the Legal Aid Commission.
The Equal Pay Commissioner is appointed for a four-year term by the Legislative Assembly. They are responsible for ensuring that the right to equal pay for work of equal value in the Public Service Act is protected. That right applies to employees in the NWT public service and the NWT Power Corporation, and to teachers. It requires their employers to pay all employees who perform work of equal value the same rate of pay, regardless of sex. The Commissioner receives and investigates complaints about the right to equal pay for work of equal value.
The Legislative Assembly would like to thank Ms. Joy Noonan for her four years of service as
Equal Pay Commissioner.