The University is committed to reversing the historic under-representation of women, Aboriginal peoples, racially visible persons, and people with a disability on its faculty and staff. This document is the statement of Dalhousie's Policy on Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity. This Policy is in compliance with the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act and the Federal Contractors Program to implement Employment Equity. This includes eliminating or modifying all practices and systems, unless they are authorized by law, that cannot be shown to be necessary job requirements. The introduction of positive policies and practices designed to remedy the effects of past discrimination against members of the designated groups.
Positive measures are pro-active and speed up the rate of change within the workplace.
Employment Equity also involves the establishment of institutional goals and timetables to achieve Employment Equity by increasing the recruitment, hiring, training, and promotion of designated group members within the University. Improvement of the participation of designated group members throughout the University through hiring, training, and promotion. The Nova Scotia Human Rights Act states that implementing Employment Equity by giving preferential treatment to promote the welfare of any group in Nova Scotia is not discrimination if the program has the approval of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission. Except in the context of Affirmative Action in employment, there shall be no discrimination in employment at the University that contravenes the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, or the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. The Board of Governors and representatives of employee groups at the University shall strive to develop statements that prohibit discrimination in employment, except for reasons of ability.