2004-05 Affirmative Action Report Released

Departments and agencies throughout the provincial government have been working to attract employees who represent more diverse communities to the public service.

Twenty-six departments, agencies, boards and commissions have developed plans to become a more diverse workforce and to achieve employment equity in the public service for women, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, African Nova Scotians and other racially visible people.

"Our goal is to be representative, at all levels, of the people we serve," said Human Resources Minister Carolyn Bolivar-Getson.

The initiatives are outlined in the province's 2004-05 report on affirmative action, which was tabled in the legislature today, Nov. 3, by the minister. The report outlines corporate activity and departmental action plans during 2004-05, and some next steps.

"Workforce diversity can do more than prevent discrimination and increase employment opportunities to under-represented groups,” said Ms. Bolivar-Getson. "We benefit by having competitively relevant knowledge about how we can do our work differently and better."

Government has been doing many things to become more representative of the people it serves, including:

• a redesign of the mandatory diversity and employment equity training for government employees;
• development of three-year affirmative action plans by all government departments;
• creation of a Valuing Diversity Round Table with representation from key departments and stakeholder agencies and commissions;
• development of a corporate diversity action plan that will provide direction to the initiative over the next three years;
• revitalization of the affirmative action inventory of employees, including its renaming as the diversity talent pool;
• establishment of the Diversity Accommodation Fund to help departments, agencies, boards and commissions hire persons with disabilities who may need some job accommodations upon their entry.

"This report gives an overview of progress we have made, our plans for the future, and reaffirms government's commitment to affirmative action and diversity," said Ms. Bolivar-Getson.

A copy of the annual report is available on the website at www.gov.ns.ca/psc