Yes it is. It is about equity. It is about the equitable representation of those with talents in the workforce because for a generation Canada has failed. Therefore, the Liberal government of the past and the Liberal government of today are again trying to reinforce the fundamental principles that govern this bill.
In the process of addressing the legislation, I would like to reiterate that the bill can be looked on as a legislative centrepiece of our core Canadian social values, social equity among all of us.
I have mentioned the operative principles of the bill. What does it achieve, we may ask. I submit that we will achieve effective utilization of one's talents and one's skills. It will ensure businesses will provide better client service and therefore better and good business for the employers. By achieving this we will create harmony among all of us. There will be no feeling of being a second class citizen because of one's disability, colour, gender or aboriginal origin.
Who will question, and why should we question, if we can enhance the maximum productivity of all peoples with talents, that we should not utilize them and get them into the workforce, by applying the principle of fairness.
I submit that by adopting the principles of this bill we will be able to benefit not only the designated groups as defined in the bill, not only the visible minorities, not only the people with disabilities, not only women, not only aboriginal people. We will benefit everyone. Therefore, this is a bill for all Canadians to consider.
That is why the bill has seen to it that in addition to the private sector, the public sector will now be covered so that the government is setting a model. To ensure that we give teeth to what we believe, to ensure that we give enforcement to what we would like to happen, the Canadian Human Rights Commission will be mandated to have this authority.
However, the work of the Human Rights Commission will not be in an adversarial fashion. It will be done within the spirit of co-operation and collaboration.
Therefore when we see our armed forces, the RCMP, our security intelligence service agency being covered under the act, to me this is a social blessing and the time has come. It will ensure that we achieve the purpose for which this act was first enacted, to ensure employers achieve a workforce that is equitable and representative of the four designated groups.
As chair of the Standing Committee on Human Rights and the Status of Disabled Persons to which this act will be referred by the House, I am delighted to serve on that committee. Our committee will ensure that there will be open and inclusive discussion and participation of all, that any matter referred to in the bill will be addressed, utilizing a wide consultation.
We would like to hear from all groups concerned. We would like to hear from the minister, from the department officials, from departments of government that are involved in the delivery of this program. We will invite the opposition to articulate its views to us on this issue, so that together we can shape a truly equitable Employment Equity Act.
In closing, I am delighted to support this bill because it reinforces a core Canadian value, the principle of social justice for all.