Official Languages and Employment Equity Program

The Official Languages and Employment Equity Program is responsible for advising and assisting managers, supervisors and employees in implementing the Official Languages and Employment Equity plans in accordance with the Official Languages Act, the Employment Equity Act, their regulations as well as the Service’s policies.

Official Languages

CSIS is firmly committed to respecting the obligations set out in the Official Languages Act, and to meet the specific requirements stemming from Parts IV, V and VI of the Act. In order to actively fulfill this commitment, CSIS promotes the Act through its Official Languages Program.

This program has implemented and continues to set out initiatives that includes the following key elements:

• full-time language training;
• part-time language training;
• administration of second language testing;
• translation and simultaneous interpretation services;
• policy interpretation and support (for manager and employees);
• promote the linguistic duality of Canada through initiatives, awareness and information sessions;
• policy and procedure update;
• monitoring on various levels namely for:
  • linguistic designation of positions
  • effectiveness of the program;
• reporting to Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada (annual review).

CSIS fulfills more than its obligations under the Official Languages Act. Through its actions and its support, both in the areas of communications with the public, language of work, and equitable participation, it has demonstrated an ever growing commitment not only to the letter but also to the spirit of the Act.

Official Languages Annual Report

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Employment Equity

Employment Equity is of crucial importance in ensuring that CSIS has a diverse, innovative and responsible workforce fully capable of achieving its mission. The Service is driven by corporate values that foster a diverse working environment and is committed to ensuring that all employment policies, practices and standards are fully inclusive and provide all Canadians with equal and fair opportunities. Our policy on workplace accommodation, for example, provides support for people with disabilities - from recruitment to ongoing employment.

At the heart of the Service’s Employment Equity Section ongoing initiative towards a fully inclusive workplace, is our unwavering commitment to create a high-performance culture for all employees. This determination energizes the Service and allows us to reap the benefits of an engaged and diverse workforce.

Under the Employment Equity Act, the mandate of the section covers the annual Self-identification survey, responsibility for monitoring and reviewing the progress of the Employment Equity Plan, and prepares the Service’s annual report to the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada as well as the annual report on multiculturalism presented to Heritage Canada.

To carry out its responsibilities for the program, the Employment Equity section develops and communicates policies, initiatives and awareness activities related to employment equity and diversity, and provides interpretations and support to managers and employees as required.

Employment Equity Annual Report