The St. John’s Status of Women Council has released a report outlining the benefits that come with introducing pay equity legislation.

Newfoundland and Labrador does not have pay equity legislation, though it has been talked about for decades. Most recently the issue came up in the spring sitting of the provincial legislature.

The report outlines what they call a “consistent trend” across the country showing that in areas where such legislation exists there are lower gender wage gaps.

They say that in areas of Canada where pay equity has been legislated, over the last 20 years most of those provinces saw the largest average incomes increase during the following year.

The council is calling on the provincial government to implement such legislation in both the public and private sectors, as well as establish oversight bodies to ensure consistent employer accountability.