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Employment EquitySeptember 23, 2002 Review of the Federal Employment Equity ActTo the Members of the National Board of Directors We wrote to you in the spring of 2001 and again in February 2002 concerning the review of the Employment Equity Act. The Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities tabled their Report in June 2002 with respect to their review of the Employment Equity Act. The attached document provides an analysis of the Committee’s recommendations in light of the PSAC submission. As you know, the current audit process flowing from the Employment Equity Act has not yet resulted in an Employment Equity Tribunal hearing. In consequence, a complete review of the Act’s enforcement mechanism is incomplete. You will note that several of our recommendations were not addressed by the Committee, particularly those that dealt with this enforcement weaknesses and which spoke of our call for negotiated employment equity plans. The report does contain several positive recommendations. The Committee was clearly of the view that federally regulated employers and the federal public service need to be subject to the same requirements. The need for forums where unions and employers can identify and deal with employment obstacles was identified. The PSAC will continue to participate in the review process. The Minister of Labour is required to respond to the Committee’s report by November 2002. Although we are not anticipating a legislative overhaul, any proposed legislation would presumably lead to another consultation process. If you have any questions concerning the attached PSAC analysis, please contact the PSAC Programs Section. You may obtain a copy of the Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities at the following web site: http://www.parl.gc.ca. In Solidarity, Nycole Turmel, Encl. c.c. PSAC Regional Offices |