Another place where Block and Walker go wrong is that they do not acknowledge empirical evidence which has shown their arguments to be false and which has been directed at and made available to them (e.g., Denton and Hunter, 1984). They complain that the Commission of Inquiry "... cites several relevant Fraser Institute studies in its reference material," but that "it shows no evidence of even considering one of its most important findings" (Block and Walker, 1985:85). But Block and Walker do not even cite (as the Commission does) our writing and research, much less do they consider one of the most important findings of the research.

One casualty here is neoclassical economic theory, which Block and Walker are unwilling to abandon, even in the face of compelling evidence of economic discrimination which the theory cannot accommodate. If the facts cannot be deduced from the theory, however, then the theory must either be revised or discarded, not retained by virtue of simplistic statistical analysis. Another casualty is the argument that such measures as equal pay for work of equal value legislation may be appropriate for the public sector, but not for the private sector. It is precisely in the private sector and, in particular, in the most competitive parts of the private sector, that gender discrimination is most pronounced. A hard look at the evidence should put a stop to appearances by Walter Block and Michael Walker as disinterested, expert observers on CBC's The Journal or in the news pages of the Globe and Mail, commenting on how it is that there is no serious or enduring gender discrimination in the labor market in Canada.

Finally, some years ago, Mr. Block inquired as to whether he might have access to the data which we used to refute his arguments. He was informed that he was welcome to it for the cost of a computer tape. He has yet to reply. Mr. Block and Mr. Walker, if you are interested, the offer still stands.

SusanBersel '85

References

Abella, Judge Rosalie, Commissioner. Report of the Commission on Equality in Employment. Ottawa: Supply and Services, 1985.

Block, Walter E., and Michael A. Walker (eds.). Discrimination. Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity. Vancouver: The Fraser Institute, 1982.

Block, Walter E., and Michael A. Walker. Focus: On Employment Equity. Vancouver, The Fraser Institute, 1985.

Denton, Margaret A., and Alfred A. Hunter. Economic Sectors and Gender Discrimination in Canada: A Critique and Test of Block and Walker ... and Some --- New Evidence. Ottawa: Labor Canada, 1984.

Alfred A. Hunter is Professor of Sociology, McMaster University, Hamilton.

Margaret A. Denton is President, Social Data Research, Ltd., Hamilton, Ontario.