Question Period Note: Indigenous people within CIRNAC

• Our Government is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive public service free of discrimination, harassment and violence.
• CIRNAC is committed to recruiting Indigenous Peoples into existing positions at all levels and to providing opportunities for professional development, career advancement and retention of current Indigenous employees.
• Employees are encouraged to complete the voluntary self-identification form, however it is not mandatory. Therefore, the total number of Indigenous employees may actually be higher.

• CIRNAC remains committed to a high representation of Indigenous employees, including in executive positions.

Breakdown of Indigenous representation as of January 20, 2023 for CIRNAC

Class Group Indigenous Non-Indigenous Total
AS 75 331 406
CO 5 5
CR 20 78 98
DM 1 1
EC 79 635 714
ED 1 1
EG 5 13 18
EN 3 28 31
EX 17 108 125
FI 7 46 53
GS 1 1
IS 4 9 13
IT * * *
OC 3 3
PC 3 102 105
PE 11 164 175
PM 76 183 259
SW 1 1
WP * * *
Grand Total 304 1 712 2 016

• In order to protect the identification of certain employees due to the low rate, other classification groups are not disclosed.

If pressed on allegations of discrimination at CIRNAC

• We take allegations of workplace discrimination seriously and are committed to fostering a work environment that is safe and inclusive for everyone.

• We have a zero tolerance policy for racism and discrimination towards our employees and the Indigenous Peoples we serve.

• We have also established a new Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Secretariat within the department to drive cultural change and address systemic racism.

If pressed on the decrease of Indigenous employees

• The decrease in the rate of Indigenous representation at CIRNAC after 2017 reflects the division of programs between CIRNAC and ISC.

• This included a transfer of over 2,000 employees in November 2017 from the former INAC to ISC and the transfer of approximately another 1,000 employees in July 2019.

• ISC now has most of the regional programs and programs that work directly with Indigenous communities where Indigenous employee representation rates tend to be higher.