This past month, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Transport, joined 50 Black executives from 2 cohorts to celebrate the launch of a new stream of the Executive Leadership Development Program. Designed to address the historic underrepresentation of Black executives in the federal public service, this new stream equips Black executives with the essential knowledge of leading within the federal public service while also integrating the lived experiences of its participants.
Over the next 2 years, up to 100 Black executives will participate in the program with up to 25 members in 4 cohorts. This initiative serves as a targeted measure to help close the representation gap of Black executives by addressing the systemic barriers that have historically limited their access to high-profile leadership programs.
The program will enable Black executives, at the EX-01, EX-02, or EX-03 levels access to further enhance their key leadership skills, deepen their understanding of the fundamentals of government decision-making, and share their lived experiences within a trusted and well-integrated community of Black peers. It will also create opportunities for sponsorship, foster mentorship, and support talent management and career progression.
The launch of this program follows the government's announcement in February 2024 of 3 initiatives to advance the Action Plan for Black Public Servants, aimed at dismantling the barriers Black public servants have faced in their careers. Other initiatives include Health Canada's Black-centric enhancements to the Employee Assistance Program, and the Public Service Commission's individualized assessment, counselling and coaching services for Black public servants.
In addressing these systemic barriers, we have taken deliberate steps to engage and ensure that the Action Plan for Black Public Servants is guided by engagement with Black employees and executives.
The Government of Canada is taking steps to foster a safe, healthy and inclusive environment, where Black public servants are recognized for their important contributions and provided every opportunity to succeed.
