Before you read this editorial be forewarned it contains a shocking revelation. A Liberal MPP Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest) has discovered that women pay more than men for dry cleaning, hairstyling, and clothing etc. Mr. Berardinetti stated he was inspired by Joanne Thomas Yaccato author of “The 80% Minority: Reaching the Real World of Women Consumers”. Thomas Yaccato estimates that Canadian Women are over charged $750 million yearly on hairstyling alone. How would anyone come up with this figure? Lorenzo is angry and intends to do something about this situation.

Mr. Berardinetti has introduced a private member’s bill making it illegal for women to be charged more than men for similar goods and services. It will be debated April 14/2005. If this bill were to become law it would prevent businesses from charging different prices based on gender. Fines of up to $5,000 would be imposed on anyone breaking the Ontario Human Rights Code by setting prices for goods and services based on gender.

It should be an interesting debate. I imagine all politicians will stick to the same message, discrimination is wrong and something should be done about it. I agree that goods and services should not be gender priced. I do not believe that this bill even if passed would be effective. The solution to the problem of women being overcharged for similar goods and services as men is not legislation. The answer is for women to start practicing discrimination.

Look up the definition of discrimination; “the act of making or recognizing differences and distinctions”. Women make up a significant percentage of the work force. They earn their money and have the right to spend it as they see fit. I use to handle all the finances in our household. Approximately six years ago l made a brilliant decision. I turned it all over to my wife. Now everything is organized, planned and my panic attacks are a thing of the past. My point is women are very capable of making their own financial decisions.

If a women wishes to spend $60 plus on a haircut, what right does the government have to deny this free choice. An example the Liberal MPP used to make his point was a Giorgio Armani suit for men cost $1200 while the women’s version was $2000. While this may be true the bigger issue for me would be who pays $1200 plus for a suit. Of course my standard of high-end clothes is Dockers while my apparel of choice is Big Dog. If a woman interested in an Armani product feels $2000 is excessive then don’t buy it.

I believe in the principles of the Ontario Human Rights Code. I do not feel this is an effective way to deal with gender based pricing. If dry cleaning prices are unjust to women then l would advise them to check around. I believe the free enterprise system will insure that a place can be found that charges a proper tariff for this service. As with the majority of women my wife shops at stores that cater to her taste in clothes. She usually waits for items go on sale and then purchases them. It is not rocket science.

The bottom line is that women are smart and more capable than politicians at looking after themselves. As l see it any gender that can give birth and raise children can decide if they are being over-charged, and more than this they can do something about it.