The Joint Employment Equity Committee (JEEC) provides a national forum that includes the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), the Public Service Commission (PSC), Bargaining Agents and departmental representatives. Others with Employment Equity and diversity responsibilities or expertise, including a youth representative, may be invited to collaborate on the development, implementation and revision of public service wide policies and practices that may impact designated groups under the Employment Equity Act.
The JEEC acts as the NJC's vehicle for Employment Equity and diversity analysis, and provides the NJC with Employment Equity and diversity related input, as well as, advice and recommendations related to emerging policies and practices in the federal public service:
- Undertaking timely and relevant analysis/review from an Employment Equity and diversity lens. Analysis from an Employment Equity and diversity lens is understood as:
- Considering the Employment Equity impacts and implications of policy and practice modifications on the designated groups;
- Ensuring that intersections among designated groups—including gender identity and sexual orientation related issues are considered when impacts and implications are assessed.
- Periodically undertaking system wide reviews and analysis on Employment Equity and diversity related issues.
To achieve its mandate, the JEEC relies on:
- Transparent and timely sharing of Employment Equity and diversity related information among all Committee members (including Employment Equity data summaries gathered through various employer controlled systems);
- A consistent approach to referring issues to JEEC for consultation, collaboration, input and analysis; and,
- Engagement with the NJC Executive with regard to emerging priorities.
Committee Advisor: Karen Kruger
Quarterly Report to the National Joint Council (June, July and August 2026)
Regular Activities
- The Committee has met once (1) since the last Council meeting.
- The Committee wishes to note the departure of its Bargaining Agent Co-chairperson, Rubina Boucher, from the Canada Employment and Immigration Union, and to thank them for their contributions to the Committee.
- The Committee welcomed a new Employer Side representative, Ryan Pascal, from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
- The Committee received a presentation from the Public Service Commission on the 2025 Staffing and Non-Partisanship Survey. The presentation highlighted trends in staffing, fairness, transparency, bias and barriers, and the growing use of artificial intelligence in staffing processes. The Committee requested further information on perceived bias, barriers, unfairness, and declining trust in staffing, as well as direction provided to hiring managers and potential mitigation measures.
- The Committee received a presentation from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat on its analysis of 2025 accessibility plans. The presentation highlighted progress in accommodations, accessibility initiatives, and consultations with persons with disabilities, while identifying gaps in performance measurement, accountability, and support for employee retention and advancement. The Committee expressed interest in compliance oversight, the effectiveness of actions, consistent performance measures and an enterprise-wide view of accessibility efforts.
- The Committee received a presentation from the Office of the Auditor General on an audit of workplace accessibility in seven (7) federal organizations. The audit found overall progress in accessibility and the representation of persons with disabilities, while identifying opportunities to improve consultations, accommodation processes, and manager awareness. The Committee emphasized consistent data collection and accommodation practices, continued engagement with employees and bargaining agents, and stronger accountability for removing barriers and improving accessibility outcomes.
Outstanding items:
- Nil
Next Meeting: November 4, 2026