Across the country, systemic racism continues to be an everyday reality for Black communities, including in the workplace. The Government of Canada is committed to fostering a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment, where Black public servants are equally recognized for their important contributions and provided every opportunity to succeed.
In Budget 2023, following the invaluable work of several Black public servants' networks in 2022, the Government of Canada committed an additional $45.9 million to complement the initial funding in Budget 2022 for a Black mental health fund. As a result, nearly $50 million is supporting the creation and development of the Action Plan for Black Public Servants (Action Plan) to establish career development programs and mental health supports for Black public servants.
Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board, announced the first initiatives of the Action Plan, which will continue to be refined through meaningful input from Black public servants. Specifically:
- Health Canada is receiving funding for Black-centric enhancements to the Employee Assistance Program provided to more than 90 federal departments and agencies. This includes the recruitment of 19 additional Black counsellors this year alone, which brings to a total of 60 Black counsellors, to provide culturally competent and trauma-informed mental health support to public servants and their immediate family members.
- Following a successful pilot, the Canada School of Public Service is receiving funding to launch an executive leadership program for Black executives in groups EX-01, EX-02, and EX-03 to support their career advancement.
- The Public Service Commission (PSC) is receiving funding to provide individualized assessment, counselling and coaching services to Black public servants. The PSC will also build on their current expertise and leverage available research and feedback from Black employees to improve the delivery of its career development services for all levels of Black public servants.
The implementation of the Action Plan will be led by an internal task force made up of primarily Black employees. In the coming days, weeks and months, the task force will engage through check-ins with employee networks, surveys, and discussions with Black public servants to further engage on the implementation of current and future initiatives under the Action Plan.
The Government of Canada is committed to making real and lasting change to create a workplace that is safe, inclusive, and free of all forms of racism and discrimination. This work will be guided by lived experience and collaboration with Black public servants.
