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OTTAWA - The federal government’s plan to close down a resource centre for employees with disabilities is deplorable, says the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

"This act by the government shows how tenuous their commitment is to employment equity," said PSAC National President Nycole Turmel, "especially given that the employment situation of persons with disabilities in Canada is in crisis."

Treasury Board has recently cut the $554,000 funding for the Employment Equity Enabling Resource Centre for Persons with Disability and plans to shut its doors by the end of this month. The centre was created in 1984 to provide advice to managers to respond to and accommodate the concerns of employees with disabilities. It was one of the projects funded through the Positive Measures Program, which has not been renewed.

"This year’s report on employment equity by the Treasury Board shows that more persons with disabilities have left the public service last year than were hired in the same period," said Turmel. "Obviously, this means there’s still a need for the centre and for Positive Measures Program funding."

During question period in Parliament last week, the government defended its move by saying that the centre was meant to be temporary and that the services it provides will continue through the departments and agencies. The government received a tongue-lashing from Bloc Quebecois MP Monique Guay, who also pointed out that the centre has been functioning for 18 years and therefore couldn’t be called temporary.

PSAC agrees with Guay’s position.

"Without the centre, the departments and agencies that now have high marks in terms of employment equity may very well continue to do well," said Turmel. "But those that aren’t doing so well will only become worse. In order to ensure a relatively equal performance across the board, employment equity must be realized in government under a centralized authority and centralized funding."

The Employment Equity Postive Measures Program is a significant part of Treasury Board’s overall employment equity program for the federal public service. The Positive Measures Program helps departments and agencies develop expertise, tools and opportunities to meet their employment equity objectives for women, Aboriginal Peoples, visible minorities and persons with disabilities.

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For information:

Nycole Turmel, PSAC national president (613) 560-4330
Johanne Labine, PSAC employment equity officer (613) 560-4326
Joselito Calugay, PSAC communications officer (613) 560-4235

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