Self-identification (Self-ID) in the public service

Public servants employed within the core public administration (CPA) – as defined in Schedules I and IV of the Financial Administration Act (FAA) – are asked to complete a Self-Identification (Self-ID) Questionnaire when they are first hired. Throughout their careers, CPA employees may also be invited to update their Self-ID Questionnaire during organizational Self-ID campaigns or initiatives. Employees of separate agencies (Schedule V of the FAA) are asked to consult with their human resources personnel to confirm options for self-identification within their organizations.

By completing the Self-ID Questionnaire in the new Self-ID Application (or an alternate format), you help create a richer, more accurate picture of who we are in the public service. This information guides the development of policies and programs that support equity, diversity and inclusion.

The first part of the Self-ID Questionnaire (Section A) asks you to confirm your current organization and to decide whether you wish to self-identify. All employees are required to answer these two questions.

If you select “yes” to self-identifying, you will be asked a short series of questions about different aspects of your identity (Sections B and C). These questions are voluntary and should take less than 5 minutes to complete.

As we are taking an employee survey-style approach to self-ID, all employees are encouraged to respond to as many of these questions as they wish. All responses are protected under the Privacy Act and cannot be accessed by an employee’s supervisor or manager.

Everybody counts in the new Self-ID Questionnaire. It is available now on the Treasury Board Applications Portal (TAP).