Government Operations Committee on Sept. 20th, 2018

[Patrick Borbey]

Yes. Again, we're working with Yazmine Laroche, the deputy minister who has been appointed to lead the implementation of accessibility requirements within the public service. We're working with her on looking at various ways that the Public Service Commission can be supportive.

There are a couple of areas. There is an expectation that there will be a new internship program created that will specifically target persons with disabilities. We're looking at how we stand that up. Véronique and her team are doing the design work there and the consultation on how that's going to work.

The more interesting challenge is the commitment that has been made to hire a thousand additional persons with a disability into the government, per year, over the next five years. That's an area where we're going to have to really examine all the processes and make sure that—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Do you know where the thousand came from? As I understand from the Library of Parliament report we discussed the last time you were with us, this government, the previous government, and the government before had done a very good job of meeting their goals for hiring.

[Patrick Borbey]

We're not.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Well, the Library of Parliament says differently. It says that the workers within the public service exceed, actually, the percentage in the—

[Patrick Borbey]

Let me explain. The reason we're doing well in the public service is that disabilities are acquired. We have an aging workforce, so most of the progress we've made is a result of that natural phenomenon. When it comes to hiring new recruits—we can talk about it at another time, when I release the numbers in our annual report—

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

We'll have to, because we don't have the time now.

[Patrick Borbey]

—we get much less than the normal labour availability in terms of applicants. It's either because people don't want to be part of our organization and don't see themselves as being welcomed or they are refusing to self-identify. It's a combination of those two, but our numbers are not good.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

They can't get by the outside screening if they're not already on the inside.

[Patrick Borbey]

Exactly. If people fear they won't be getting a fair screening, we have work to do there. We shouldn't be complacent.

The other thing is that those numbers on the labour force availability don't reflect the people who want to work but who are not looking for work because they don't think they belong. If we want to be an accessible employer, we have to actually reach out beyond just opening up the processes and telling people they're welcome. We actually have to go and meet with organizations that can help us find the candidates.

In fact, I have one of my VPs in Toronto meeting with an organization with that purpose: How can we get more candidates, the candidates we never see, to apply?

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

I think it's fantastic that you're being proactive with this. Well done.

[Patrick Borbey]

Thank you.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

If it's a happy coincidence that we're able to clean up the ease of application, it's a win for everyone.

[Patrick Borbey]

Yes, absolutely.

[Kelly McCauley, Conservative, Edmonton West, AB]

Thank you, sir.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Thank you, Mr. McCauley.

Are there any other questions?

Madam Yip, you have five minutes, please.

[Jean Yip, Scarborough—Agincourt, Lib.]

Okay. I'll just get to it.

What efforts are made to ensure that the federal workforce is diversified, and what is the representation of visible minorities in the public service now?

[Patrick Borbey]

Maybe I can start, and Carl can jump in as well.

In all of the employment equity groups, we're actually above labour force availability in terms of the current representation in the public service. For visible minorities, for example, from our latest data, about 14.5% of our labour force self-identifies as a visible minority. That compares to 13% in the labour force availability. We know through the census that this number will be going up, so again there's no reason to be complacent here. We might in fact be behind when the next numbers come out.

I am always looking at our application rates when it comes to external processes. Whether it's for students, for post-secondary recruitment, or for general application, on average between 30% and 35% of our applicants self-identify as a visible minority. To me, that indicates that there is significant interest in joining the public service from those groups. Therefore, I'm hopeful that by having more external hiring, more external recruitment, we will continue to grow in those areas. That's with respect to visible minorities.

Carl, do you want add something on the other groups?

[Carl Trottier]

With regard to diversity and inclusion, we are currently working with the public service and other partners on a strategy for diversity and inclusion. It's in the works currently. It's based on the recommendations that came out of the joint task force, as well as other reports that were tabled recently, such as the collaboration circle for federal indigenous representation and the report on diversity and inclusion in the public service. There's also the creation of the centre on diversity from budget 2018. That's also taking place. That's the centre on diversity, inclusion and wellness that will be coming together to be able to support the efforts on diversity and inclusion.

I think, based on what Patrick said and the work that's going on, we're actually moving in a very positive direction.

[The Chair, Conservative, Tom Lukiwski]

Thank you very much.

To all of our witnesses, thank you again for being here. It's been much appreciated. Should you have any additional information or should there be some questions you weren't unable to provide answers to, I would appreciate it if you could get that information directly to our clerk.

As Mr. McCauley said earlier, I'm sure we'll be talking with you again, Mr. Borbey and Mr. Trottier, sometime in the very near future.

Thank you again, ladies and gentlemen.

The meeting is adjourned.