Question Period Note: PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYMENT ACT AMENDMENTS PROPOSAL

In the Budget 2021, the government proposed to amend the Public Service Employment Act to address some areas of potential barriers to Employment Equity and equity-seeking groups in the staffing process, as part of the broader work in the public service on diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

• The public service has long made diversity and inclusion in its workforce a core value, and there has been steady progress over the past decade, but many gaps remain.
• This past Fall, the Federal Economic Statement committed $12 million over three years towards a dedicated centre for diversity in the federal public service to accelerate and increase the government’s efforts to achieve a representative and inclusive public service.
• Following consultations with employee diversity networks, bargaining agents and departmental Senior Officials for Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Budget 2021 has announced the Government’s intention to propose amendments to the Public Service Employment Act to reaffirm the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce and to strengthen provisions to address potential bias and barriers in the staffing processes.
• More information will be made available once legislation has been introduced in Parliament.

Attention on diversity and inclusion within the federal public service has lately focused primarily on the topics of racial inequality, a lack of representation (notably in the senior ranks) and the initiatives that could be taken to address such issues. Media coverage on the January 2021 announcement of the Government’s priorities on diversity, inclusion and accessibility was moderate, favourable, and interest focused on the timelines for implementation, notably for proposed legislative changes.

Key roles on Diversity and Inclusion include:

• The Clerk sets out expectations and appoints deputy heads
• The Public Service Commission administers the Public Service Employment Act and delegates to Deputy Heads the authority to appoint public servants
• Treasury Board sets the policy frame for the core public administration, and sets terms and conditions of employment
• The Treasury Board Secretariat collects and researches data and supports senior executive talent management
• Minister Tassi is responsible for the Employment Equity Act which provides benchmarking and reporting obligations for women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities for federally-regulated organizations.

• The Government’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in Ministers’ mandate letters, the Clerk’s Call to Action on anti-racism, equity, and inclusion in the Federal Public Service, in the establishment of an Anti-Racism Secretariat and Strategy, in the appointment of a Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and in the creation of both the Office for Public Service Accessibility and a Centre on Diversity and Inclusion at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
• In January, the Treasury Board President announced his focus for diversity and inclusion in the public service, would include: generating and publishing better data, increasing diversity in senior leaders, ensuring appropriate benchmarks, and addressing systemic barriers.
• TBS has initiated discussions with, employee networks, bargaining agents, key departments and departmental Senior Officials for Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to understand the experiences of members of Employment Equity and equity-seeking groups in staffing