Message from the Secretary of the Cabinet and the Deputy Ministers: Final Reports and Next Steps from the Third-Party Review

Today, the reports of the Third-Party Review of OPS Inclusive Workplace Policies and Programs are being released to you, the employees of the OPS. The deputy ministers and I have reflected on the findings. The experiences and issues recounted in the reports are deeply concerning.

The society we live in — its history, its culture and its institution— — has been shaped by colonization, slavery, racism and xenophobia that has privileged White people and has restricted access to opportunities and affected outcomes for Indigenous, Black and racialized people. In addition, the mistreatment of LGBTQ+ people and persons with disabilities remains pervasive.

We know that the issues recounted in the reports are not new. They have been raised within our own organization by employees, as well as by the employee networks. The impacts of anti-Black racism were highlighted in the previous Independent External Review of Complex WDHP Cas“s (“Huggins ”eview”).

Despite initiatives implemented over the years, the Third-Party Review found that systemic racism, discrimination and employment barriers continue to harm the wellbeing and careers of OPS employees who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, LGBTQ+ and employees with disabilities.

You have the right to respectful, equitable treatment at work and deserve the opportunity to progress in your career. That has not been the case for everyone, and we are deeply sorry.

We apologize for the harm caused to Black employees by the prevalence and severity of anti-Black racism in the workplace. We apologize for the harm caused to Indigenous employees by the pervasiveness of anti-Indigenous racism in the workplace.

We apologize to all employees who have faced all other forms of racism, as well as discrimination, harassment and barriers because of your creed, sexuality, gender identity and/or your disabilities.

We know that an apology is not action. But we also know that by virtue of the positions we hold, as Secretary of the Cabinet and deputy ministers, we must use our individual and collective authority to drive lasting cultural and systemic change in the OPS.

Today, we are committing to concrete steps to address root causes of racism, discrimination and harassment in the OPS. This starts with the commitments in our Leadership Pledge. These commitments will build on the work underway to transform our inclusive workplace policies and programs.

We will ensure action and hold our organizations, and each other, accountable. We will share open, transparent and regular reporting with you, the OPS employees.