The hiring preference

We're committed to:

• increasing the representation of Indigenous people within the public service in a range of occupations and pay levels;
• strengthening our relationships between Yukon and First Nation governments; and
• making our public service a desirable place for Indigenous people to work.

Legal obligation

We have a legal obligation to develop and implement a representative public service plan. This is outlined in Chapter 22, Schedule A in each Yukon First Nation Final Agreement.

Breaking Trail Together: An Inclusive Yukon Public Service is a 10-year strategic plan. It aims to achieve a representative Yukon public service that includes Yukon First Nation people.

Legal authority

Under the Yukon Human Rights Act special programs that address systematic discrimination are not discriminatory. Additionally, the Yukon Public Service Act allows for the implementation of those programs.

What is systematic discrimination

Systemic discrimination is practices or attitudes that limit rights or opportunities to:

• persons; or
• groups. 

Limitations, whether by design or impact, are because of characteristics that are attributed, rather than actual.

Competitions are open to all candidates. The hiring preference:

• only applies to competitive staffing actions; and
• does not apply to temporary assignments.

The hiring preference is a 2-tiered system. It gives qualified candidates:

• priority to people with Yukon First Nation ancestry; and
• then, priority to people with another Canadian Indigenous ancestry.

We apply the hiring preference at the end of the competition, after assessments are complete. Regardless of ancestry, to perform the job, successful candidates must posses all of the:

• essential qualifications;
• knowledge;
• skills; and
• suitability requirements.

How the recruiting process works with the hiring preference

1. Submit an application to a posted competition through e-recruitment.
2. You'll be asked to self-identify as Yukon First Nation or Indigenous ancestry in a questionnaire.
3. All applicants go through the screening and standard assessment process.
4. Hiring preference is given to successful candidates in the following order:
   • candidates who certified and self-identified as Yukon First Nation;
   • then, candidates who certified and self-identified as Canadian Indigenous;
   • then, candidates who certified and do not meet the preference, in ranking order.

15% of our employees self-identify as Yukon First Nation or Canadian Indigenous:

• 8% of Yukon First Nation; and
• 7% of other Canadian Indigenous ancestry.

23% of Yukon's population identifies as Yukon First Nation or Canadian Indigenous. This is based on 2016 federal census data.

You can self-identify at 2 stages in the recruitment process:

• when you apply to a posted competition through e-recruitment; or
• when you're hired, complete our Employee Self-Identification form. This form is also referred to as the workforce census. It helps us track the representation of employment equity groups.

Self-identification of Yukon First Nation or Canadian Indigenous ancestry is voluntary. As with any competition, there are serious consequences for people who misrepresent themselves, such as termination of employment.

The definitions used for Yukon First Nation and other Canadian Indigenous for this initiative.

Yukon First Nation

A registered beneficiary or citizen of 1 of the following 14 Yukon First Nations:

• Carcross/Tagish First Nation;
• Champagne and Aishihik First Nation;
• First Nation of Na-Cho Nyak Dun;
• Kluane First Nation;
• Kwanlin Dün First Nation;
• Liard First Nation;
• Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation;
• Ross River Dena Council;
• Selkirk First Nation;
• Ta’an Kwäch’än Council;
• Teslin Tlingit Council;
• Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation;
• Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation; or
• White River First Nation.

Canadian Indigenous ancestry

People who reported ancestry associated with the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Constitution Act, 1982, Section 35 (2) defines Indigenous peoples of Canada. It includes the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada. Ancestry refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of the applicant’s ancestors. An ancestor is usually more distant than a grandparent. A person can have more than one ethnic or cultural origin.