Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism (EDIAR)

ACFO-ACAF recognizes that equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism (EDIAR) have not always been central to decision-making within the federal public service. We believe it’s time for a change and are dedicated to leading the charge in advancing EDIAR initiatives.

We strive to foster a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism (EDIAR) that respects and embraces the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of individuals within our organization, the CT Community, and the FI Community at NAV Canada (more details on ACFO-ACAF’s mission).

We also recognize that our office, located in Ottawa, is on the unceded territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. ACFO-ACAF acknowledges the historical oppression of lands, cultures, and Indigenous Peoples in what we now know as Canada.

What is EDIAR?

The Government of Canada has defined each of the four components of EDIAR in relation to how they impact the federal public service, and those definitions are:

  • Equity: Fairness, impartiality, and even-handedness. A distinct process of recognizing differences within groups of individuals and using this understanding to achieve substantive equality in all aspects of a person’s life.
  • Diversity: A diverse workforce in the public service is made up of individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, skills, perspectives, and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and evolving population.
  • Inclusion: An inclusive workplace is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming, and respectful. It recognizes, values, and leverages differences in identities, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives that support and reinforce Canada’s evolving human rights framework.
  • Anti-Racism: The active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably.

EDIAR Initiatives

EDIAR Working Group

At ACFO-ACAF, our EDIAR Working Group is made up of a dedicated group of individuals focused on enhancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism within the CT Community, striving to create a space where everyone feels valued and supported.

The group is always looking for new members from equity-seeking groups (women, racialized individuals, people with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples) to join their monthly meetings and discuss topics such as:

  • How issues related to EDI are impacting employees in their department;
  • What sorts of new and ongoing EDI initiatives exist within their department; and
  • How you think that ACFO-ACAF can better advocate for a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist public service. 

If you’re interested in joining the EDI Working Group, or want more information, please contact Helen Berry at hberry@acfo-acaf.com. Helen is a Human Rights and Pay Equity Specialist at ACFO-ACAF and facilitates all of the working group meetings.

EDIAR Learning Series

ACFO-ACAF’s EDIAR Learning Series offers a year-round schedule of online webinars aimed at providing CT Community members with a valuable opportunity to explore EDIAR-related topics. This series is designed to help you engage with new concepts, enhance your understanding, and reflect on issues that might be new to you.

  • Interested in our upcoming EDIAR Learning Series sessions?

    Learn more about our upcoming sessions here.
    Learn More →

  • Access previous EDIAR Learning Series recordings

    You may do so via the my.ACFO-ACAF member portal, available exclusively to ACFO-ACAF members.
    Access ACFO-ACAF Member Portal →

Other EDIAR Resources

Presentation from OCG on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility for the CT Community

Diversity of the CT Community

Our public service members work across Canada in more than 70 departments and agencies in more than 700 locations. The vast majority of our approximately 30 NAV Canada members work in Ottawa. Many hold business degrees and/or professional designations such as CPAs, CIAs and CFEs.

We intend to report more information on the diversity of the CT Community soon – please keep an eye out for our EDIAR survey that will be released in the coming months.

ACFO-ACAF and the CCDI

ACFO-ACAF is an Employer Partner of the Canadian Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI), whose mission is to help the individuals and organizations they work with be inclusive and free of prejudice and discrimination.

EDIAR News and Upcoming Events

Nov 26, 2024

ACFO-ACAF EDIAR Learning Series: Heraldry in Northern Canada

ACFO-ACAF has scheduled the next session of our ongoing EDIAR Learning Series. This series of webinars provides ACFO-ACAF members with […]

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Nov 6, 2024

Complete ACFO-ACAF’s EDIAR survey 

We are pleased to be launching our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (EDIAR) survey and request your completion of the […]

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Oct 31, 2024

EDIAR Learning Series: In service of peace 

ACFO-ACAF has scheduled the next session of our ongoing EDIAR Learning Series. This series of webinars provides ACFO-ACAF members with […]

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