Despite disappointing results so far, government keen to reflect diversity of territory, communities
While the results have been somewhat disappointing thus far, the Yukon is extending its Indigenous hiring preference initiative until the end of 2029.
Under the program, the province hopes to increase Indigenous representation in the public service in different occupations and pay levels to 22 per cent.
“It is important that the Yukon government reflect the diversity of our territory and the people and communities they serve,” says John Streicker, minister of the Public Service Commission. “The Indigenous hiring preference initiative is contributing to our goal to increase Indigenous representation in the public service and strengthen our Yukon government services and workforce.”
Disappointing results
The Indigenous hiring initiative started on Oct. 1, 2020, as part of Breaking Trail Together, a 10-year strategic plan to create a Yukon public service that is inclusive and representative of Yukon First Nation people.
Through the first 15 months of the pilot, there were 78 successful Indigenous candidates across a total of 632 competitions. These include new employees and existing employees moving to a new position within the Yukon government.
However, Indigenous representation in the Yukon government was 15 per cent on Oct. 1, 2020 and remains the same as of March 31, 2021. Meanwhile the province’s Indigenous population is 22.1 per cent, based on 2021 federal census data.
In trying to boost its diversity and better reflect the communities it serves, CIBC faced tough questions recently when a job application it posted for Indigenous candidates came to light.
Hiring preferences
The hiring preference only applies to competitive staffing actions, and does not apply to temporary assignments.
Candidates must submit an application to a posted competition through e-recruitment, and then identify themselves as of Yukon First Nation or Aboriginal ancestry.
Hiring preference is applied at the end of the competition, after assessments are complete. Preference is given to successful candidates in the following order:
- candidates who certified and self-identified as Yukon First Nation
- then, candidates who certified and self-identified as Canadian Aboriginal
- then, candidates who certified and do not meet the preference, in ranking order.
Through the program, the Yukon is hoping to strengthen its relationships between Yukon and First Nation governments; and make public service a desirable place for Aboriginal people to work.
The government is also hoping to address systematic discrimination exhibited via practices or attitudes that limit rights or opportunities to persons or groups.
Recently, the federal government announced it is looking to accelerate the work that several organizations do to eliminate barriers to accessibility and inclusion faced by the disability community. Ottawa launched a competitive call for proposals for funding of $6 million annually, for a total of up to $18 million over three years, from national disability organizations through the Social Development Partnership Program – Disability (SDPP-D) component.
