Release of the Public Service Commission of Canada 2020–21 Annual Report
News release
December 17, 2021 – Gatineau, Québec
The Public Service Commission of Canada today released its 2020–21 annual report on the health and integrity of the staffing system and the non-partisanship of the federal public service.
The report highlights how hiring was impacted by one of the most unique and challenging periods in the history of Canada’s public service. The public service had to adapt rapidly to meet the critical and unforeseen needs of Canadians brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also had to respond to intensified calls to remove systemic barriers for equity-seeking groups.
The report reveals notable shifts in hiring trends over the last year. For instance, overall hiring was down across the public service, including a 32.1% decrease in student hiring.
The report also looks at recent initiatives to increase diversity and inclusion, like the recent Audit of Employment Equity Representation in Recruitment, which revealed the barriers that exist in the staffing system for employment equity groups.
The events of the last year underscored the importance of a modernized approach to hiring in the public service, one that is flexible and inclusive. The data presented in this year’s report will help shape the direction of future staffing.
Quotes
“The pandemic has shown the resilience of the public service and its potential for innovation when faced with a challenge. The Public Service Commission is committed to maintaining this momentum as we build a more diverse, inclusive, and modern federal public service.”
– President Patrick Borbey and Commissioners Fiona Spencer and Daniel Tucker
Quick facts
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In 2020-21:
- External hiring (including students) decreased for the first time since 2012–13, with 53,232 hires.
- Despite the decline in hiring, the total federal public service population increased by 5.7% to 246 301, due in part to a decline in departures.
- Persons with disabilities and Indigenous people continued to apply for jobs at rates below their workforce availability.
- 25% of all applicants self-declared as members of visible minorities, which is the highest rate of the past 5 years.
- 350 veterans were appointed to a position in the public service in 2020-21; a decrease of 9.1% as compared to the previous year.
- The median time to staff through external processes increased by 47 days to 250 calendar days, or close to 8.5 months.
- The PSC received 198 requests for investigation that fell under its mandate.
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Contacts
Media Relations
Public Service Commission of Canada
Email: cfp.media.psc@canada.ca