Why is Alberta ditching diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring practices?

Detailed summary

Are hiring policies that strive for workplace diversity actually a problem that needs solving? Or is the UCP government engaging in political posturing? Panelists who spoke to CBC's West of Centre are split on the answer.

The Alberta government says eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion from public sector hiring will make sure employers are using a merit-based system.

But is it addressing a genuine problem that needs solving? Or is it, as the Opposition NDP argues, political posturing? CBC’s West of Centre spoke to experts and politics watchers who are split on the answer.

In a news conference last month, Premier Danielle Smith and Justice Minister Mickey Amery said the government's merit-based hiring bill is going to make the process more fair while ensuring the best-qualified candidates are selected.

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has called the move a doubling down on the “culture war” that doesn’t address the priorities of voters.

But the premier’s executive director, Bruce McAllister, posted on social media to describe scenarios where candidates are chosen for their race or sexuality rather than experience.

“It’s racist. It is discrimination against straight people, white people, Chinese people, Christians,” part of the post reads.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is a framework that aims to promote fair treatment and participation for people of all walks of life. It’s commonly referred to as DEI or EDI for short.

The Alberta bill would target hiring policies like one that was well-documented at the University of Alberta. It said if two candidates were equally qualified for a position, the hiring panels should favour the person from a historically underrepresented group.

The university changed the policy last spring after a provincial panel recommended post-secondary institutions adopt a culture of greater neutrality.

Opening of the article, excerpted from CBC News. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.