Take Action: Send a note of thanks for this brave and principled decision to Stockwell Day, Jason Kenney, and Stephen Harper ([email protected], [email protected], [email protected])

Globe & Mail, July 22 2010: The Conservatives say race and ethnicity shouldn’t enter into the hiring process for federal jobs and have ordered a review of affirmative action policies. They want to look at government hiring practices, which currently give priority to qualified applicants from minority groups.

New Democrat MP Pat Martin called the move a “full-frontal attack on affirmative action.” Visible minorities, including aboriginals, have long been underrepresented in the public service. Treasury Board President Stockwell Day said no Canadian should be barred from a federal job because of race or ethnicity. “While we support diversity in the public service, we want to ensure that no Canadian is barred from opportunities in the public service based on race or ethnicity,” Mr. Day said in a statement. Read more