fostering employment equity and diversity in the nova scotia legal

PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY FOR
CROWN LAW AGENTS
1. BACKGROUND
Employment equity, as a broad principle, ensures a fair and representative workforce.
Employment equity is achieved through employment practices that prevent and correct
disadvantages in employment through special measures, reasonable accommodation of differences
and programs to remove barriers to equitable employment opportunities.
This policy also incorporates an affirmative action requirement to promote the hiring of
Indigenous Black and Mi'kmaq lawyers with the goal of achieving and maintaining a
representative workforce within the law firms retained to perform legal work for the Province of
Nova Scotia.
Where it is appropriate to use a private law firm, the Province will:
1) use law firms that are in compliance with this policy; and
2) look for opportunities to direct legal work to lawyers of colour and aboriginal
ancestry.
2. POLICY STATEMENT
Law firms that wish to be retained as Crown Law Agents must:
(a)
(b)
provide equal access to employment and career opportunities to ensure equitable
representation at all levels within the law firm; and
develop, implement and maintain an affirmative action plan to ensure the equitable
representation of Indigenous Black and Mi'kmaq lawyers within the law firm.
To this end, law firms must, as a condition of their retainer, comply with the requirements set out
in this policy.
3. APPLICATION
This policy applies to all Nova Scotia law firms performing legal work for the Province of Nova
Scotia.
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