ELIMINATING SYSTEMIC BARRIERS IN STAFFING PRACTICES

The AJC, in our continued efforts eliminate systemic barriers within the core public service, has been collecting feedback and commentary from our Governing Council representatives and our membership on staffing practices taking place across different Government of Canada departments, including the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC). 

In response to a recent DOJ consultation on staffing policies, we have compiled a list of the reported issues and perceptions, along with an accompanying list of recommendations for departmental consideration as they contemplate changes to their staffing processes and how best to eliminate systemic barriers (you can consult the document here). This document has also been shared with the PPSC. 

By providing the Employer with the experience of our members who have participated in various staffing processes across the departments and regions at all levels of classification and making recommendations on how to best address the systemic barriers in the staffing practices, the AJC is providing the Employer with valuable information and best-practices that will help improve the professional and career development of Canada’s Crown counsel.

The PPSC officially released its report, Bias-Free Workplace Initiative: Co-Champions Findings and Recommendations in the Fall. Many of the findings and recommendations in the PPSC report are in line with the AJC’s recommendations on how to best eliminate systemic barriers in staffing.   

As well, the AJC is engaging the Public Service Commission, and will be sharing our recommendations. While recent changes to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) now provide for a mechanism to hold departments accountable for failing to eliminate systemic barriers, further improvements to the PSEA are required. However, this change in culture and increased accountability in Departments is a positive signal. We will continue to keep AJC members updated on our continued efforts and the progress made.