Inclusive Language in Job Descriptions and Job Titles
Date: September 12, 2023
To: Heads of Human Resources, Chiefs of Classification
The purpose of this bulletin is to emphasize the importance of using inclusive language in new and updated job descriptions and job titles.
The Government of Canada is committed to a respectful and inclusive workplace. Inclusive language helps promote inclusion and respect for diversity and is free of discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, or any other identity factor.
Background
The Canadian Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are the foundations of gender equality rights. These rights are further defined through laws and regulations including:
- Employment Equity Act
- Pay Equity Act
- Canadian Gender Budgeting Act
- Canada Labour Cod
Gender equality, fairness, diversity, and inclusion are not only a professional responsibility, but also a core focus of annual federal budgets, supported by the Canadian Gender Budgeting Act implemented in 2018.
Inclusive writing promotes equity and the equal participation of all members of society, resulting in a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture that recognizes and values all employees equally. Inclusive writing also avoids language that uses gender-specific pronouns, job titles, and other terms that may suggest a preference for one gender over another.
Application
To support your organizations with inclusive writing in job descriptions and job titles, organizations are provided with the following tool:
Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources
Developed to support the Government of Canada’s diversity and inclusion priorities, the Guidelines for Inclusive Writing are designed to help organizations adopt inclusive writing that is free of discrimination.
Avoiding the use of gender-specific language in French can present unique challenges due to the lack of gender-neutral nouns and adjectives. The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) encourages the use of gender-inclusive language (including all genders rather than just the masculine default) when gender-neutrality is not possible.
This bulletin applies to organizations in the CPA and is effective immediately.
Enquiries
All questions pertaining to this information bulletin should be directed to departmental corporate classification resources, who, if required, will direct questions to the Workforce Organization and Classification Division of the OCHRO: ZZORGCLA@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
Marcel Page
Executive Director, Organization and Evaluation of Work Employee Relations and Total Compensation Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer
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