The Tribunal is the adjudicative branch of the Commission [21.23, 25, 28, 29. (1)]. It has exclusive jurisdiction to determine all questions of fact or law that arise in any matter before it. The decisions of the Tribunal are final and conclusive for all purposes [30].

The Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body; it is required to be impartial and it must provide all parties with a fair hearing and fair process. The Tribunal’s decision-makers are appointed for their specialised expertise in labour and employment law, compensation systems, and pay equity. In making its decisions the Tribunal must consider the specific issues in dispute between the parties in the context of the policy objectives and structure of the Act.

Recourse to the courts is limited, but could be made in cases where it could be shown, for example, that the Tribunal has gone beyond the scope of the Act.

Parties who wish to complain about a pay equity issue in their workplace must first file their complaint with the Pay Equity Office.

For more information about the Tribunal’s proceedings, parties can refer to the Tribunal’s “Rules of Practice” available on the Tribunal’s website or from the Tribunal’s Registrar.