Equity, diversity, and inclusion
Our aspiration to build confidence in a safety system that improves the wellbeing of people throughout the province will only be achieved if everyone can participate.
Through innovative ideas, skills, partnerships, and tools, we are improving how people can easily, equitably, and effectively participate in the safety system. This includes identifying and removing the barriers that limit access.
Our plan
Our equity, diversity, and inclusion strategy is designed to ensure that our people and programs reflect the population we serve, embracing and encouraging different perspectives, while addressing bias. We know we are made stronger by a unique combination of culture, race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental ability, geography, socio-economic status, and work-life situations.
Our plan sets transparent, measurable activities and targets in key areas, including but not limited to:
Goal - Staff (and/or consultants) with expertise in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) participate in product and services development assuring language inclusion and Accessibility for persons with disabilities is considered
Measure and target: We will comply with The Accessible BC Act by September 2023 and establish an implementation plan, a feedback tool, and an advisory committee with internal and external members.
We will implement a road map to identify plans for accessibility and equity considerations and compliance in our products and services to increase broader participation in the safety system.
Goal - Developing a well-qualified and diverse workforce that is representative of the people of British Columbia
Measure and target: We will continue to grow the diversity of people and leaders across the organization, with a particular focus on increasing the number of Indigenous employees.
In 2023, we will be inviting employees to voluntarily disclose their demographics as a first step in understanding where our employee diversity is compared to that of BC.
Goal - Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is an essential leadership competency. Leaders promote EDI initiatives as well as actively increase their knowledge and mentor others
Measure and target: In 2023, EDI will be launched as an organizational competency. Leadership will be evaluated and held accountable to it. There will also be EDI courses offered to all employees in order to build capabilities across the organization. Some of these skills will include modelling equitable and inclusive behaviours, promoting EDI initiatives, and ensuring that EDI considerations are incorporated into organizational processes and projects.