text: Management-Union Consultations on Employment Equity | Union of Taxation Employees
  Management-Union Consultations on Employment Equity
  Management-Union Consultations
  200 Laurier, 4th Floor Boardroom
  Michael Lahache
  Marie Danièle Gervais
  1. Workforce Analysis as of March 31, 2009
  Although the Workforce Analysis (WFA) as of March 31, 2009 was already shared with the Unions earlier in the year (early July 2009), Robina Canaran provided a summary of the results of the analysis.
  The analysis was based on the newest labour market availability (LMA) benchmarks stemming from the 2006 Census results.
  The results showed that for the sixth consecutive year, each of the four designated groups continues to be fully representative at the national level (with representation continuing to surpass labour market availability).
  There are some areas of under-representation at the occupational group level, and we will be looking at how to bridge these gaps as we develop the new Strategic Direction for EE for 2010-2011 to 2012-2013.
  Question: Linda Cassidy had a question regarding the table appearing at the end of the set of hand-outs and asked Robina to confirm whether SP-4 positions were coded against EEOG 10 Clerical Personnel Group (as shown in the table) or against EEOG 07, Program Administration and Senior Clerical Personnel. Robina Canaran indicated that she would look into this and get back to the unions.
  2. CRA Annual EE Report for 2008-2009
  The Annual EE Report for 2008-2009 (based on the most recent workforce analysis) was submitted to Treasury Board Secretariat on September 30, 2009, as per the legislative requirements of the Employment Equity Act.
  The President of the TB will then table the report to Parliament along with the EE reports for the rest of the public service, but it has not been confirmed when this will take place.
  Once the Report is tabled in Parliament, the report will be posted on the InfoZone and distributed to the Unions and to other stakeholders.
  3. Regional EE Action Plans and Reports
  Regions submitted their annual EE reports (for 2008-2009) back in April 2009. The EE Division used this information to develop the Annual EE Report which was recently submitted to TBS.
  Regions have developed their EE Action Plans for 2009-2010. These were completed/submitted towards the end of September 2009.
  4. Strategic Direction for Employment Equity for 2010-2011 to 2012-2013
  Robina Canaran indicated that the EE Division has been begun developing the Strategic Direction for Employment Equity.
  The new Strategic Direction will be developed in consultation with the National Advisory Committees (NACs), the Regional Champions for Employment Equity, the Assistant Directors of Human Resource Planning & Development (ADs of HRP&D) and the unions.
  A national meeting with the NACs, the Champions for EE and the ADs of HRP&D is scheduled for January 19 to 20, 2010, in Ottawa to discuss and further develop the Strategic Direction.
  It is expected that the new Strategic Direction will be BoM approved towards the end of March 2010.
  Question: Shawn Bergeron and Linda Cassidy asked whether the national unions could participate at the NAC meeting. Robina Canaran indicated that it was envisioned that the meeting planned for January would involve the NACs and Champions only, and as per past practice, the unions would be engaged later on in the consultative process. After some discussion on this point, it was agreed that Robina Canaran would get back to the unions on this.
  5. Electronic Workforce Profile Survey (Self-Identification)
  CRA first implemented the electronic Workforce Profile in 2006. And it has been quite successful in increasing employee participation with respect to self-identification.
  Promotional campaigns and efforts, both at the national and regional levels, have also had a positive effect on increased participation rates.
  The Commissioner launched the first national campaign in May 2006, and continues to issue broadcast messages, promoting the importance of self-ID on a regular basis.
  The last Commissioner's message was released in March 2009, and once again, this message had a positive impact on the participation rates. Prior to the broadcast message, the national participation rate was 80.4%, after the broadcast message, the participation rate increased to 83.5%.
  As per the Canadian Human Rights Commission requirements, departments/agencies require a participation rate of 80% for the workforce analysis results to be considered accurate and valid.
  6. e-Aboriginal Awareness course
  Michael Lahache indicated that the EE Division is developing an online learning product for Aboriginal Awareness that will be made available to all employees.
  The purpose of this product is to build awareness and understanding among CRA managers and employees of Aboriginal Peoples and their culture.
  The electronic course will be approximately 60 minutes in duration and will cover several topics in five modules.
  The date for a pilot of the course is December 3, 2009. Approximately 20 participants will be solicited to participate in the pilot and the Aboriginal NAC will also participate in the pilot.
  The final product is expected to be launched at the end of March 2010.
  Michael Lahache indicated that the draft product will also be provided to the unions for their review and comments (sometime in early December).
  7. e- Workplace Accommodation (for designated group members)
  Diane Desrochers indicated that the EE Division is currently developing an online learning product on Workplace Accommodation that will be available to all CRA employees.
  The development of an e-learning tool was recommended by the NAC for Persons with Disabilities and they also recommended that it should be more inclusive than just persons with disabilities.
  This learning product is in line with the "JUST ASK ME" course on the Duty to accommodate which was rolled-out in 2002. The course "Just-Ask-Me" pertained mainly to persons with disabilities and was developed in partnership with Human Resource and Skills Development Canada (formerly HRDC) and by CRA (formerly the CCRA).
  The e-Workplace Accommodation course introduces employees to the concept of workplace accommodation as it pertains to individuals identified under the Employment Equity Act as designated group members (Aboriginal Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and women) and is in line with the CRA Guideline on Accommodation for Designated Group Members.
  The electronic course will be approximately two hours in duration.
  The e-learning pilot is scheduled for February 2010.
  The expected launch date is May 2010.
  Diane Desrochers indicated that the draft product will also be provided to the unions for their review and comments at the time of the pilot.