Metro YMCA Signs Agreement

The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth recently signed a workplace diversity agreement/affirmative action policy with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission.

The signing took place during the YMCA''s 147th annual general meeting and volunteer celebration held at the Harbourside Holiday Inn in Dartmouth.

"I encourage other organizations to take proactive steps such as implementing affirmative action programs in their workplaces," said Michael Baker, minister responsible for the Human Rights Act. "This will help to ensure that every Nova Scotian has the opportunity to compete and succeed."

Affirmative action promotes equality within organizations in employment and services provided and in organizational values. The agreement ensures that all persons have equal opportunities in all aspects of employment in branches of the YMCA throughout Halifax and Dartmouth.

"In the Halifax region, the YMCA has continually promoted diversity and created an inclusive society through their Newcomers'' Centre and through the Community YMCA on Gottingen Street, its volunteers, and its international partnerships," said Mayann Francis, executive director of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. "The signing of this workplace diversity agreement and affirmative action policy represents one more step that affirms the organization''s commitment to diversity."

In signing the agreement, the YMCA sets a long-range goal of developing -- through recruitment, hiring and training -- a workforce that represents the composition of the general labour market. To ensure the success of this agreement, the YMCA will continue to identify and eliminate barriers that may deny equal opportunities to historically under-represented groups, in particular, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people, racially visible people, and women.

kjd May 3, 2001