Supporting Black Public Servants
Across the country, systemic racism continues to be an everyday reality for Black communities, including in the federal workplace. The Government of Canada is committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment where Black public servants are equally recognized for their important contributions and provided every opportunity to succeed.
The Action Plan for Black Public Servants will establish career development initiatives and mental health supports for Black public servants.
On this page
Call to Action on Anti-racism, Equity and Inclusion
In January 2021, the Clerk of the Privy Council issued a Call to Action on Anti-racism, Equity and Inclusion, acknowledging the ongoing challenges faced by Black, Indigenous and racialized communities. The Call to Action requests that the public service take practical actions for systemic change to advance anti-racism, equity and inclusion in all organizations.
Since then, the Government of Canada committed close to $50M in Budget 2022 and 2023 towards the Action Plan for Black Public Servants to create career development programs and a mental health fund for Black public servants.
Task Force for Black Public Servants
In June 2023, the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer established the Task Force for Black Public Servants to oversee the development and implementation of the Action Plan for Black Public Servants.
The Task Force is comprised of mostly Black employees and their work is guided by lived experience in collaboration with Black public servants to design and implement initiatives that reflect their needs. The Task Force continues to engage and listen in a variety of forums such as check-ins with employee networks, surveys, and discussions with Black public servants to inform current and future initiatives under the Action Plan.
Initiatives
In February 2024, the Government of Canada announced the first initiatives under the Action Plan. One year later, significant progress has been made, and new initiatives have been unveiled in February 2025:
- The Black-centric enhancements to the Employee Assistance Program delivered by Health Canada has increased the number mental health professionals in its network who self-identify as Black to 100, as of September 2024.
- The first 2 cohorts of the Executive Leadership Development Program, led by the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), was successfully launched in September 2024 and these executives will graduate in April 2025. The nomination process for the next 2 cohorts was launched in February 2025.
- Following the success of the career counselling and coaching for Black public servants’ initiative, led by the Public Service Commission of Canada, this is now expanding to enable more Black public servants to access these services. The call-out will launch in winter 2025.
- The Second Official Language Training Initiative for Black public servants, led by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), is launching in winter 2025 and will provide flexible training options.
- After a full implementation in 2025-26, the Aspiring Directors Program, through CSPS, will support and ensure a greater representation of Black professionals at the executive level.
- The Leadership Development Program for Black Supervisors and Managers through CSPS, will be fully launched in 2025-26 and support Black public servants for a more inclusive and diverse leadership landscape.
News
- The Government of Canada unveils new initiatives to support Black employees in the public service - Canada.ca
- Government of Canada’s Action Plan to support Black public servants - Canada.ca
- Government of Canada launches new stream of the Executive Leadership Development Program as part of its Action Plan for Black Public Servants - Canada.ca
Additional information
Contact us
Task Force for Black Public Servants
TFBPS-GTFN@tbs-sct.gc.ca
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