“Employment equity groups” now overrepresented in the public service
The Conservative government plans to review the Public Service Employment Act to ensure hiring is based solely on merit. The Liberals are calling it an attack on affirmative action. “We must ensure that all Canadians have an equal opportunity to work for their government based on merit, regardless of race or ethnicity,” said the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and multiculturalism, Jason Kenney who announced the review yesterday. Under the current act, some positions may be reserved for visible minorities, aboriginals, people with disabilities or women. People who do not meet those criteria will not be considered. However, according to the Public Service Commission of Canada, all four of the “employment equity groups” are now overrepresented in the public service relative to their share of Canada’s population.