Working site on citizenship and multiculturalism issues.
2013/10/26 Leave a comment
Munir Sheikh, the former Chief Statistician of Canada, on the case for a more independent Statistics Canada to help improve trust in the quality of their reports.
To restore faith in Statscan, free the Chief Statistician – The Globe and Mail.
2013/10/25 Leave a comment
Nice commentary by Victoria Ferauge on the hijab. Required reading for Premier Maurois and those in Quebec in favour of the Charter. My favourite quote (among many):
Quebec (and other places) are trying to judge what is inside someone’s head by what he or she wears on their bodies. It’s matching insides to outsides – always a perilous undertaking fraught with error and misunderstandings. If one thinks it is possible to see a “message” and make judgements about a woman based on what she wears, then it follows that all women everywhere can be judged that way. So then, what does it mean, mes amis, if a woman wears a short black skirt, a tight blouse and high heels? What “messages” is she sending? And are we allowed to treat her differently because of how we interpret her intentions manifested through her fashion sense?
Do we really want to go there? For that matter, weren’t we there a few decades ago?
2013/10/24 Leave a comment
A good reminder of the business case for a diverse workforce:
“Diversity of thought is really what you’re driving for,” says Ms. Hirji, who has spent years driving and formulating diversity policy at RBC. “There are differences that you want to bring to the table so that you end up with more options and more of a reflection of your clients. To win in your market, you need to hire the market.”
Workplace diversity: ‘To win in your market, you need to hire the market’ – The Globe and Mail.
2013/10/23 Leave a comment
A good update on the person who prompted one of the more significant reasonable accommodation cases before the Supreme Court, Gurbaj Multani, who insisted on his right to wear the ceremonial kirpan to school. The Court ruled in his favour, but imposed conditions (i.e., it had to be sewn into clothing). Needless to say, the proposed Quebec Charter sends a signal to citizens like Multani that they are not fully welcome or accepted.
Sikh student who won kirpan case now considers leaving Quebec
2013/10/23 Leave a comment
Third-party leader François Legault tries to create some space for his party between the PQ and the Liberals in the ongoing Quebec Charter debate, noting the ugly tone and focus on Quebec Muslims, and wanting to find a compromise approach working with the other party leaders. His proposal was quickly rejected by PQ Premier given their wedge-issue electoral strategy.
Legault dénonce le «procès contre la religion musulmane»
Lysiane Gagnon criticizes Quebec Liberal Leader Philippe Coulliard for his recent silence on the Charter.
Liberal values, but no Liberals
A further illustration of the PQ political strategy can be seen in Minister Drainville’s release of the public consultations on the Charter. Like so many governments these days, the consultation process was designed to generate a more favourable result for the government, rather than a more objective reading. Interestingly, lots of support for the removal of the crucifix in the Assemblée nationale, and opposition to cities and sectors having an exemption.
2013/10/22 Leave a comment
A good piece on some of the challenges in providing healthcare in a diverse society, provoked by the position paper of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. While some accommodation is reasonable, when feasible, particularly for elderly patients where language may be an issue, and in some cases gender, being overly accommodating goes against integration, as it removes another touch point among communities. If excessive accommodation is provided, it creates expectations for ongoing and further accommodation.
Again, my experience is that more and more of the people I interact with are from diverse backgrounds. I don’t consider my consent to their providing treatment as me accommodating them, just part of my normal interaction with professionals.
The society’s CEO, Jennifer Blake, said the organization does respect that many people feel more comfortable with a doctor of the same culture, language or gender – “when that can be achieved.”
“The problem really arises in emergency or night coverage when it is simply not possible to accommodate every preference,” said Dr. Blake by email. “We have taken the position that our fundamental responsibility is to ensure that there is a competent, well-trained professional available 24×7.”
2013/10/22 Leave a comment
Another book review, this time by New Canadian Media, my first in the ethnic media. Quote:
Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias is a must-read for anybody in Canada who is part of the vast immigration sector (nay, industry) or is interested in the sausage-making policy apparatus in Ottawa. It offers unique insight into how Ministers relate to the public service, how bureaucrats try their hardest to have their way in dubious “Yes, Minister” style, and the extent of disconnect between these two pillars of democracy in particularly contentious areas such as citizenship-immigration, environment or foreign affairs. This consummate public servant of 30 years must be given credit for calling it like it is: “After all, governments are elected, whereas public servants are not, and governments are ultimately accountable for their decisions before the public.”
2013/10/19 Leave a comment
A good discussion this week with a group of some 20 former deputy ministers, using my “10 inconvenient truths” framework.
Interesting to hear their views on how previous transitions and relationships compared with the current government. In addition to my points about the sharp ideological contrast and the non-responsiveness of the public service in many cases, participants also noted that the minority nature of the government further exacerbated tension.
Always rewarding to test out one’s ideas with such an experienced group.
2013/10/19 Leave a comment
Attended an interesting talk this week by Joseph Heath on the three “poles of allegiance” of the public service: to elected officials, to the public, and to their professional values. Although his working through the issues in each category is a helpful analytical exercise, as a former public servant not sure that helps us much in the end in the Canadian context, where “fearless advice and loyal implementation” to the minister prevails.
My experience, as outlined in Policy Arrogance or Innocent Bias: Resetting Citizenship and Multiculturalism, was that whenever public servants deviated from serving elected officials, problems emerged. Should they try to serve the public in recommending Grant & Contribution projects, they missed the change in policy with projects being rejected. And should they try to follow their professionalism with respect to providing advice without taking political context into account, public servants were viewed as obstructive.
But alway good to have a theoretical framework challenge the status quo, and be provoked!
2013/10/19 Leave a comment
Yet more commentary on the government’s failure to comply with its obligations under the Access to Information Act, this time by the Ottawa Citizen.
The government should listen to Legault because there is nothing to fear from openness. Access to information is fundamental to our system of government, and a key tool of citizen engagement. A Conservative government that rode accountability to office should not stand in the way. It should be a champion of openness.
Click image for book purchase
