GC Panel Pledge - l’Engagement GC relatif aux panels

The GC Panel Pledge aims to increase the representation of:

• Indigenous Employees
• Black Employees
• Racialized Employees
• Disabled Employees
• 2SLGBTQIA+ Employees
• Religious Minorities
• and Women

in all GC events at the local, regional and national level.

The Panel Pledge is a commitment taken by public sector panelists, facilitators and event organizers to affirm their commitment to diversity, inclusivity and Anti-Racism and anti-discrimination. Upholders of the Pledge will ensure they only support events whose speakers, moderators and facilitators are representative of the true diversity of Canada. The Panel Pledge is in response to the Clerk’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion and in support of the areas of focus of Beyond 2020 to promote the representation of systemically marginalized and underrepresented groups.

History

The Panel_Pledge was adapted from work done by three Australian organizations, in effort of increasing gender parity on panels.  Launched at Shared Services Canada in 2019, the initial GC Panel Pledge required pledges to commit to not speaking on male-only panels. Those who took the panel pledge also committed to advocating for women’s representation on panels by asking the following questions:

1. Are there women, or equal numbers of men and women, participating in the panel?
2. What is the event organizer doing to ensure gender diversity at their event?
3. Will the organizers commit to reaching out to additional resources to attain gender balance on their panel and at their event?

Taking the #GCPanelPledge represented a commitment to advancing the profile of women across the Government of Canada- both in and out of the STEM space. For more information please see: https://wiki.gccollab.ca/Panel_Pledge/About_the_pledge

Amending the Pledge to Promote Inclusivity, Diversity and Anti-Racism

In taking the Panel Pledge, pledges demonstrate committed action to promoting inclusivity for Indigenous Employees, Black Employees and Racialized Employees, 2SLGBTQQIA+ Employees, Persons with a Disability, Women and Religious Minorities in all GC events while combatting all forms of discrimination and amplifying the voices of systemically marginalized persons globally.

In taking the #GCPanelPledge, one commits to:

• Requesting confirmation of other panelists / speakers / participants, and reserving the right to decline participation in events where Indigenous Employees, Black Employees and Racialized Employees, 2SLGBTQIA+ Employees, Persons with a Disability and Women are excluded.
• Refusing to participate in homogenous panels. If they do choose to participate, they commit to noting the lack of balance on the panel and highlighting the panel pledge
• Asking event organizers what they are doing to ensure diversity at their events
• Promoting employment equity, diversity, inclusion, equality and Anti-Racism in their own organizations

Speakers List:

The Panel Pledge aims to support individuals, networks and organizations who create events by making accessible a list of diverse speakers, panelists and moderators. Event organizers at the local, regional or national level will be able to use the Speakers List to connect with diverse Canadian public sector talent. The Speakers list will contain information on prospective speakers, including the topics they are passionate about, their contact information and their department or agency. It will also allow them to indicate which equity or equity-deserving group they belong to. Event planners will use this information to ensure that they book diverse guests for their events. Employees interested in signing up to be a guest speaker can complete the following form: https://forms.gle/GHoQSbPehKiX3WWw7

Aside from the Speakers List, Event organizers can also connect with one of the many GC Diversity Networks that operate across the Government of Canada in order to select a panelist from a diverse background.