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CANADA Affirmative Action to be reviewed The Canadian Government has ordered a review of its affirmative action policies following a white woman’s complaint she was discouraged from applying for a Public Service job because she was Caucasian. President of the Treasury Board, Stockwell Day said in a statement that while the Government supported diversity in the Public Service, no Canadian should be barred from opportunities in the Public Service because of race or ethnicity. The Minister for Immigration, Jason Kenney was also involved in the decision to review the affirmative action policies and confirmed that hiring should be merit-based. “It’s OK to encourage people from different backgrounds to apply but in our judgment it goes too far to tell people that if they are not of a particular race or ethnicity they cannot apply [for a job] that is actually funded by their tax dollars,” Mr Kenney said. “I strongly agree with the objective of creating a Public Service that reflects the diversity of Canada, and with fair measures designed to reach that goal, but we must ensure that all Canadians have an equal opportunity to work for their government based on merit, regardless of race or ethnicity.” One Member of Parliament disagreed with the Government’s position saying the review was itself an attack on affirmative action. “I don’t think they can make a case that white, middle-class people are being denied access to public service jobs, or that there’s any preference shown,” MP Pat Martin said. “It is paranoia on their part, though, because we are nowhere near achieving equity in the face of the public-service workforce.” He said in March 2009, the Canadian Public Service included 4.5 per cent Aboriginal and 9.8 per cent visible minorities, compared to a national population of two per cent Aboriginal and 32 per cent visible minorities. The woman who placed the original complaint, Sara Landriault said she applied online for an administrative assistant position with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. She said one of the questions in the online application form asked if she was white, indigenous or a visible minority. According to Ms Landriault, when she indicated she was Caucasian, a message informed her she did not meet the eligibility criteria and could not proceed with the application. |
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