The federal government has introduced a new stream of the Executive Leadership Development Program aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of Black executives in the public service. Launched last month, the program is part of a broader effort to dismantle systemic barriers that have historically limited career advancement opportunities for Black public servants, it said.
Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, joined 50 Black executives from two cohorts to celebrate the program’s launch, which is expected to serve up to 100 participants over the next two years. The program will feature four cohorts, each with up to 25 members, and is designed to enhance leadership skills and offer mentorship opportunities for Black executives at the EX-01, EX-02, and EX-03 levels.
“Targeted efforts such as this new stream of the Executive Leadership Development Program demonstrate the concrete steps we are taking to address and remove all forms of anti-Black racism and discrimination,” said Anand. “This is a truly unique opportunity that will help our public service become even better by leveraging all public service talent to best serve Canadians.”
Participants in the program will gain a deeper understanding of government decision-making while engaging with peers in a supportive community that integrates their lived experiences, according to Ottawa. The initiative also aims to promote career progression by fostering sponsorship and providing talent management support.
The launch of the program follows the federal government’s February 2024 announcement of several initiatives under its Action Plan for Black Public Servants. These initiatives include Black-centric enhancements to Health Canada’s Employee Assistance Program and individualized coaching services from the Public Service Commission. The government has pledged to continue engaging with Black employees and executives to ensure the Action Plan addresses their specific challenges.
Statistics from the 2021–22 fiscal year reveal that Black employees represented 4.2% of the core public administration, with only 2.3% occupying executive roles. Black public servants have also reported higher rates of workplace discrimination compared to non-racialized, non-Indigenous employees, according to the 2022 Public Service Employee Survey.