Since the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding between New Brunswick and Quebec to sell the majority of NB Power to Hydro Quebec it has been near impossible to turn on the radio, watch the local news, or read the local papers without some mention of the sale - and the public's reaction.

More than simply ingesting this news, New Brunswickers are responding, en mass, by organizing protests, writing letters to MLAs and newspapers, participating in phone ins, and creating Facebook groups in an effort to have their views heard and included.

Last night the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission hosted a panel discussion on pay equity issues in New Brunswick. Panel members included representatives from government, the NGO sector, an academic and a practicing labour and employment lawyer.

This effort by the Commission should be applauded, as the initiative was successful in providing a forum to discuss pay equity with participants, as well as, attract attention to the issue from local media. It is events such as these, in accordance with the Commission's educational mandate, which are so often overshadowed by the highly demanding complaints investigation and resolution functions of the Commission. Nevertheless, the important of educational initiatives should not be neglected.