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Canada’s Ethnocultural Portrait: The Changing Mosaic

By Imm Yong

Imm Yong, Director Diversity and Equity, HR, CFPSA

As confirmed by Statistics Canada, an ethnocultural profi le of Canada at the outset of the 21st century shows a nation that has become increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. This portrait is diverse and varies from province to territory, city to city, and community to community.

Immigration to Canada over the past 100 years has shaped our country, with each new wave of immigrants adding to the nation’s ethnic and cultural composition. Half a century ago, most immigrants came from Europe. Now most newcomers come from Asia. As a result, between 19 and 23 per cent of the nation’s population could be a member of a visible minority by 2017 when Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Our commitment and your responsibility...

NPF’s commitment to the achievement of a diverse and representative workforce is rooted in legislation, but it is also driven by far more than the letter of the law. It refl ects the fundamental values of equal opportunity and inclusion. To achieve this, we will have to change attitudes, mentalities and recruiting techniques.

Anthony Robbins’ statement -- “If you keep doing what you have always been doing, you’re going to get what you’ve always gotten”, reflects the impact some of our traditional recruiting habits have had on the representation of our workforce. I invite you to open your minds and the “gates” beyond your current environment, to draw upon the wealth of qualified people from the Canadian mosaic.

There are many outreach organizations available to help you achieve this goal. Many still think that outreach means filling employment equity quotas (there is no such thing), or providing preferential treatment for women, visible minorities, Aboriginal people and persons with disabilities. In reality, what outreach does is provide equal employment opportunities for the best available candidates for the job.

For outreach assistance, please contact your local HR manager. As Director, Diversity and Equity I welcome your input and feedback. Please contact me at (613) 996-6717, or by e-mail at ee@cfpsa.com. Your confidentiality is assured.