Aboriginal Peoples

In the private sector:

In 1987, 0.6% of private sector employees were Aboriginal peoples. By 2001, this had risen to 1.6%, slightly higher than the 1.5% achieved in 2000, and still lower than the 1996 Census benchmark of 2.1%. The share of hires received by Aboriginal peoples increased slightly from 1.6% in 2000 to 1.7% in 2001. Overall retention does not appear to be a major problem since Aboriginal peoples did not leave jobs in higher numbers than expected. For the second year in a row, the number of hires received by Aboriginal peoples substantially exceeded terminations.

Of the four private sectors covered by the Employment Equity Act, the "other" sector includes mining, fish marketing and grain operations located in northern and western regions which employ a large number of Aboriginal peoples. In 2001, the representation of Aboriginal peoples in this sector reached a new high of 2.7%, triple the 0.9% achieved in 1987 and up from 2.4% the previous year. Aboriginal peoples’ share of hires rose from 2.3% in 2000 to 2.9% in 2001. Of note is the fact that their share of terminations fell for the fourth year in a row (2.1%) in 2001.

In the transportation sector, Aboriginal peoples’ representation increased from 1.8% in 2000 to 2.0% in 2001, close to the Census benchmark, and in the communications sector it increased slightly from 1.3% to 1.4%. In both these sectors, the number of Aboriginal peoples hired exceeded the number who left their jobs.

In contrast with increases in the three industrial sectors described above, Aboriginal peoples’ share of jobs in the banking sector fell for the second year in a row from 1.2% in 2000 to 1.1% in 2001. This decrease is due to Aboriginal peoples receiving 0.9% of all hires. The number of Aboriginal peoples leaving jobs in this sector has been consistently higher than other employees, and the number who left exceeded the number hired. Until this situation is remedied, Aboriginal peoples will not progress in the banking sector.

 

In the public sector: The share of jobs held by Aboriginal peoples in the federal public service has increased every year since 1994. As of March 31, 2002, this share had risen to 3.8% from 3.6% the previous year. Aboriginal peoples received 4.5% of all hires in 2001, more than double the 1996 Census benchmark of 2.1%.

Among the 41 federal departments and agencies with 200 or more employees, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), where Aboriginal peoples occupy 29.9% of all positions, employs close to one-fifth of all Aboriginal peoples in the federal public service. Even with INAC removed, the representation of Aboriginal peoples in the public service is 3.2%, substantially higher than the 2.1% Census benchmark. As of March 31, 2002, 34 or 83% of these 41 departments and agencies met the Census benchmark of 2.1%, an increase of eight over the previous year.

Only in the Executive category, where no Aboriginal peoples were hired, was the Census benchmark not met.

During the course of audits, the Commission is paying close attention to hiring goals to ensure that Aboriginal peoples receive equitable treatment in all occupational categories and in all federal departments and agencies.

 

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