Defence Team: Read the Deputy Minister’s response to the Clerk’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion

November 30, 2021 - Defence Stories

In January 2021, the then-Clerk of the Privy Council, Ian Shugart, issued a Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service. In response to the Call to Action and in line with existing efforts, the Defence Team has made meaningful changes to create organizational conditions that foster equity and inclusion and eliminate unacceptable conduct. But it is clear there is more work that needs to be done.

The Deputy Minister has written a letter to Clerk outlining some of our achievements in 2021 and our institutional efforts moving forward. All Defence Team members are encouraged to read the Deputy Minister’s message to Clerk and to look for opportunities to build inclusive workplaces.

Here are some of our efforts in 2021:

• DND/CAF established the Chief Professional Conduct and Culture organization to build and implement a comprehensive plan for long-term culture change which tackles unconscious biases, systemic barriers to inclusion, and harmful behaviours
• The Visible Minority Recruitment Campaign increased representation of racialized executives in the public service
• DND/CAF is partnering with Indigenous peoples to develop an Indigenous learning curriculum and a Civilian Indigenous Recruitment and Retention Strategy