This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot e0beee7b1b90 · verified 2026-06-05 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
INTRODUCTION
The Municipality recognizes the need to remedy the effects of past and present
discrimination on specific groups by society in general and is committed to providing
equality of opportunity through affirmative action measures designed to eliminate
discrimination. Affirmative Action signifies a positive, continuing, results-oriented
program to ensure meaningful opportunities to all members of society. It strives for the
removal of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, First Nations origin, ethnic
background, disability or any other condition that deprives people of opportunities to live
and work.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT
The Municipality of the Town of Truro recognizes that benefits, such as fairness, social
justice and equality, can be achieved by a firm commitment to the concept of Affirmative
Action and Employment Equity. The Municipality will address systemic discrimination
through Affirmative Action and take steps to remedy practices which may have an
adverse effect on individuals from its staff as well as the community as a whole. The
Town of Truro also recognizes the diversity of its communities including, but not limited
to, the multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-cultural and multi-religious
communities composed of individuals from many parts of the world. The Municipality
acknowledges the contributions of all its residents and respects and values its various
cultures. Accordingly, the Town of Truro:
a) Reaffirms its commitment to the intolerance of discrimination which is based on
any of the grounds recognized under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. The
grounds are: age; race; colour; ethnic, national, or Aboriginal origin; sex; creed;
an irrational fear of contracting an illness or disease; religion; sexual orientation;
physical or mental disability; family status; and marital status; source of income;
political belief; affiliation, or activity; or an individual's association with another
individual(s) having characteristics referred to in the previous grounds.
b) Will recognize diversity in its by-laws, policies, practices, programs and delivery
of service through the development and implementation of an Affirmative Action
Plan. The Affirmative Action Plan is a work plan for reaching each of the goals as
set out in this policy. To ensure the continued success of this Plan, the
Town of Truro - Policy & Procedure Manual
Subject:
Affirmative Action Policy
Policy Number:
P100-005
Approval Date:
May 1, 2003
Departments:
All
Municipality will continue to identify and strive to eliminate those barriers which
may deny equal opportunities to residents in the Municipality, focusing
particularly on diverse communities.
The Municipality acknowledges that an Affirmative Action Committee and a
Diversity Management Coordinator as necessary sources of advice and input with
regard to issues affecting the Municipality's diverse communities. The Municipality
supports the work, activities and initiatives of the Affirmative Action Committee and
the Diversity Management Coordinator.
GOALS
To ensure that all the residents and civic employees in the Municipality have
equitable opportunities to develop their individual potential, the Affirmative Action
Policy has seven objectives:
Equality of Opportunity - Institute and modify current policies, by-laws and
practices to ensure that the Municipality is functioning in a socially
responsible manner as well as striving to achieve equality in the workforce.
Education and Sensitization - Increase awareness and understanding of the
principles and objectives of programs such as Affirmative Action and
Employment Equity. Encourage the appreciation, respect, and value of
diversity.
Anti-Racism - Take steps to educate civic employees and residents in the
Municipality on the harmful affects of racist attitudes and behaviour. Promote
the understanding and acceptance of all individuals through written
communication and awareness training
Anti-Sexism - Take steps to educate civic employees and residents in the
Municipality on the harmful affects of sexist attitudes and conduct through
written communication and awareness training.
Cultural Diversity - Promote knowledge, appreciation and acceptance of
diversity through education and participation in cultural celebrations.
Accessibility - Strive to eliminate barriers and provide adequate accessibility
to those persons faced with disabilities.
Reasonable Accommodation - Promote knowledge, understanding and
acceptance of the importance of employment accommodations for persons
facing barriers in the workplace or barriers to employment. Barriers may
result from (among other things) physical or mental disability; cultural, ethnic,
or religious diversity.
DEFINITIONS
Affirmative Action is broadly defined to include:
-
A remedy for eliminating systemic discrimination on the basis of race,
gender, ethnic background or any other condition that deprives people of
opportunities to live and work.
Affirmative Action Plan is broadly defined to include:
-
A written document committing to a program to achieve the goals and
objectives of the Affirmative Action Policy.
Civic Employees is broadly defined as all employees (union and non-union) that are
employed by the Town of Truro.
Community is broadly defined as individuals and groups, who reside, work or have
occasion to be in the Municipality.
Discrimination is broadly defined to include:
-
Action, speech or behaviour by individuals, organizations or groups which
may bring about or have the effect of producing, directly or indirectly, hatred,
intolerance and/or prejudice against other individuals or groups on the basis of
any prohibited ground covered by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act and the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
-
Illegal and/or arbitrary denial of the rights guaranteed to individuals or groups
under the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act and the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, with a view to exclude or limits the exercise of these rights in
equal participation in the economic, political, social and cultural life of
society.
Diverse Communities is broadly defined as including, but not limited to:
-
Individuals from all communities including First Nations/Aboriginal people,
African Nova Scotians, visible minorities, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious
groups, age, sexual orientation and persons with disabilities residing within
the Municipality.
Employment is broadly defined to include:
-
Recruiting, hiring, promotions, tenure and its equivalent, salary, benefits,
transfers, training, career development and tuition assistance.
Employment Equity Act (1995, c.44)
-
Is a Federal Act enacted by Parliament and, as such, the Act is applicable to
all Canadians. This Act's stated purpose is to achieve equality in the
workplace so that no person shall be denied employment opportunities or
benefits for reasons unrelated to ability and, in the fulfillment of that goal, to
correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment experienced by women,
First Nations/Aboriginal people, members of visible minorities and persons
with disabilities (also referred as the designated groups) by giving effect to the
principal that employment equity means more than treating persons in the
same way but also requires special measures and the accommodation of
differences.
Harassment is broadly defined to include:
-
Any improper conduct by an individual that is directed at and offensive to
another person or persons in the workplace and which the individual knew or
ought reasonably to have known would cause offence or harm. It comprises
any objectionable act, comment or display that demeans, belittles or causes
personal humiliation or embarrassment, or any act of intimidation or threat.
Race Relations is broadly defined to include, but not limited to:
-
Promoting equality and understanding among all residents in the economic,
political, social and cultural life of the Municipality, and is, therefore opposed
to any form of discrimination on the basis of any prohibited ground covered
by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act (R.S.N.S., 1989, C. 214 as amended)
and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982).
Racism is broadly defined to include:
-
Action, speech or behaviour by individuals or groups that may bring about or
have the effect of producing hatred, intolerance, prejudice, physical harm
and/or discrimination against other individuals or groups on the basis of racial
background or skin colour.
Reasonable Accommodation is broadly defined to include:
-
Adaptations or changes that make a job or work site more suited to the
individual requirements of the employee. According to Nova Scotia Human
Rights Guidelines, "reasonable" refers to cost, and health and safety
considerations.
Sexism is broadly defined to include:
-
Behaviour, conditions or attitudes by individuals or groups that foster
stereotypes or social roles based on sex.
Town of Truro is otherwise referred to in the Policy as the Municipality.