Speech for the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos President of the Treasury Board To the Federal Black Employee Caucus Annual Meeting

February 24, 2020

National Gallery of Canada,

300 Sussex Drive,

Ottawa

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

INTRODUCTION

Thank you, Greg.

I’m honoured to be here today to help kick off the Federal Black Employee Caucus annual general meeting.

First, I would like to acknowledge the importance of Canada's black communities, whose presence in Canada for hundreds of years, particularly in Nova Scotia, has contributed greatly to the building of our society.

I would also like to commend FBEC on the important work you do to raise awareness, at the highest levels of government, on the issues of concern to Black public servants — engaging with Ministers, unions and senior officials, including our Chief Human Resources Officer and the Clerk of the Privy Council.

Not only do you display the commitment that draws needed attention to the issues, you demonstrate the leadership that underpins our commitment to diversity, inclusion and human rights.

A PILLAR OF PLURALISM ON THE WORLD STAGE  

In Canada, our history has been one of different races and cultures from around the world — from Indigenous Peoples to Syrian refugees, through the French settlers and the many waves of immigration that followed.

Pluralism is at the core of our history and our identity.

Over the years, we have learned — often the hard way — that we are stronger and better when we respect each other and work together, that our differences are strengths, not weaknesses.

Today, in an increasingly interconnected world, we understand that the continued strength of our country lies in our continued embrace of openness, inclusion and respect. And in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to their fullest potential.

A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE

In the federal public service, how effective we are as an organization, how adept we are at managing change, has a direct effect on the health of the economy, the safety and security of our citizens, and the quality of life we enjoy.

If we become disconnected from the world around us, if we choose to turn away rather than be open, we risk becoming ineffectual and irrelevant.

It’s for this reason the Government is working hard to build a diverse and inclusive public service that is representative of Canada’s changing population.

To find solutions to the complex public policy problems we face today, we need diverse views, experiences, backgrounds, orientations and ideas.

We need to get the best from everyone.

We need to work to end discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability, and thereby foster the conditions that allow everyone to reach their full potential and perform at their best.

It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s also essential to our success — both as a government and as a country.

The foundation for our work is the broad policy and legislative framework that supports diversity and inclusion in the public service.

These principles are anchored in the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, the Employment Equity Act and the Accessible Canada Act.

And while the public service has made progress, as you know better than anyone, we still have a lot of work to do.

Our government recently appointed Caroline Xavier as Associate Deputy Minister for the department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship — the first black woman to be appointed Associate Deputy Minister.

It’s a step forward, but it’s not nearly enough.

We need to do more, and we need to do better.

And it starts with us, the government, recognizing the issues you have identified as challenges.

Among other things, issues such as:

• the lack of disaggregated data; and
• ongoing discrimination, harassment and career stagnation among Black employees, and the effects of these on their mental health, well-being and productivity.

TAKING ACTION

In January 2018, the Prime Minister announced that the Government of Canada would officially recognize the United Nations’ Decade for People of African Descent.

As you know, this Decade’s objective is to promote the human rights of people of African descent, and to encourage greater respect for their heritage, culture, and contributions to society around the world.

In Budget 2018, we committed $9 million over three years for the Department of Canadian Heritage to enhance local community supports for Black Canadian youth.

We also promised $10 million over five years to the Public Health Agency of Canada to develop research in support of more culturally focused mental-health programs in Black communities.

Later, Budget 2019 provided $25 million over five years to Employment and Skills Development Canada for projects and capital assistance to celebrate, share knowledge and build capacity in Black Canadian communities.

We are also modernizing our approach to data collection.

An example is the Public Service Employee Survey, which gathers data directly from public servants on their work environment.

This year, the Survey asked Black employees to self-identify to help us better address the issues they have to deal with.

That richer data and deeper analysis will lead to a better understanding of the particular challenges Black employees face.

We are also fully committed to wellness, diversity and inclusion in the public service.

This commitment has been expressed in the mandate letters of all my colleagues, in the priorities of the Clerk and other official statements.

For example, we have taken action to create safer, healthier and more inclusive and diverse workplaces for all our employees, by launching the Centre for Wellness, Inclusion and Diversity, which was also funded as part of Budget 2018.  

The Centre offers support to employees and managers who want to improve their workplace through the exchange of new practices and innovative ideas.

We’re also helping the Canada School of Public Service identify training gaps in respectful workplaces, as well as work on skills development and reduce cultural and unconscious bias.

Looking ahead, departments will need to continue to focus attention on Canada’s changing population and ensure our public service is representative of the people it serves.

As President of the Treasury Board, I will work in close collaboration with the Secretary and all Deputy Ministers to remove the remaining barriers and facilitate the access of visible minorities to senior positions in our public service.

This objective is clearly defined in my mandate letter — and the values of inclusion and openness are at the heart of my political commitment.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY

As I look to where we need to go in terms of providing fulsome participation of Black Canadians in our public service, I’m reminded of how the Black community has shaped the country we know today.

I’m reminded that you are the latest in a long line of people who have fought for fairness and equality.

I’m thinking of people like…

Viola Desmond — the Nova Scotia civil rights activist, whose image now graces Canada’s $10 bill.

She is the first Black person — and the first non-royal woman — on a regularly circulating Canadian banknote.

Lincoln Alexander, the lawyer, member of parliament, Cabinet minister, war veteran, and former lieutenant governor of Ontario.

He was the first person from a visible minority to take on that role, and the first Black Member of Parliament in Canadian history.

Michaëlle Jean, the former journalist and broadcaster, and the first woman of Caribbean origin to be appointed Governor General of Canada.

Jean Augustine, the trailblazing politician, social activist and educator.

She was also the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons, the first African-Canadian woman to be appointed to the federal Cabinet, and the first Fairness Commissioner of the Government of Ontario.

Senators Anne Cools and Donald Oliver.

Oscar Peterson, the world-renowned, Montréal born, pianist whose contribution to our culture transcends boarders and time, and whose music can still be heard every day, just outside of the National Arts Centre, right here in Ottawa.

I could keep going for hours, but my point is that all these individuals demonstrated that, in overcoming systemic barriers and more visceral prejudices, they could make long and lasting contributions to our country and the rest of the world.

And their legacy continues through the works of so many, including yourselves — black public servants, and elected officials like my colleague Greg Fergus, and senior political staff like my own chief of staff Marjorie Michel — the first black woman to act as chief of staff to a federal minister.

This is all part of what makes us Canadians!  

As public servants, you carry this torch forward, and I’m here to tell you that our government is your ally.

Diversity is our strength, and we need our public service to reflect that for the benefit of all Canadians.

CONCLUSION

Our nation’s history is as diverse as the people that call Canada home.

It’s the story of people on an upward path, and the fight to be treated with equality, fairness and dignity.

It’s the story of people who understand we are stronger because of our differences, not in spite of them.

It is the story of a country that not only celebrates its diversity, but that has made the decision to build on it and make the most of it.

Of course, nothing is perfect, and it’s always a big step between theory and practice, but we can be proud of who we are, while knowing that we can and must do better.

The Prime Minister said it best:

“We cannot build a better world unless we work together, respect our differences, protect the vulnerable, and put people at the heart of the decisions we make.”

I couldn’t agree more, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to do just that.

Thank you.