Following all three readings in the Senate, Bill S-201 passed first reading in the House of Commons last week, which pleased Senator Ringuette. Her bill intends to eliminate geographic criteria as a factor for eligibility in appointment processes and to also ensure that appointments to, and from within the public service are free from bureaucratic patronage. It is sponsored in the House of Commons by Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, Prince Edward Island.
Presently, only 55% of Public Service jobs advertised are opened to the national area of selection. Senator Ringuette believes that all Canadians should have equal access to all Public Service jobs no matter what region of the country they live in and no matter where the job is located.
“The current selection process is unfair and limits the access of all Canadians to jobs in the Public Service. This is unacceptable and incompatible with the mobility rights guaranteed by our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I believe wholeheartedly that all Canadians have the right to earn a living anywhere in this country” stated Senator Ringuette.
“Since the current government is advocating transparency and accessibility, one would hope that this bill would pass third reading in the House of Commons as soon as possible to incorporate these values into the recruitment procedures for jobs in the Public Service. Canadians have been waiting long enough for this to change, so we need to open up the process completely” said Senator Ringuette.