Pride and solidarity

PSAC is committed to advancing the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Canada. We work to eradicate homophobia and transphobia in the workplace.

A legacy of discrimination

Historically, the federal public service has been a hostile place for GLBT people. In the 1960s, the RCMP developed a list of 9,000 presumed homosexuals in the National Capital Region alone and sought to purge them from their jobs.

Until the 1990s, the federal government actively discriminated against people who were perceived to be gay. The RCMP spied on people, followed them, interrogated them, and the government fired them if they thought they were gay.

PSAC calls on the Prime Minister apologize to all public service workers, past and present who have been harmed by systemic discrimination and prejudice.

Trans rights now!

While discrimination based on sexual orientation is now formally prohibited in all Canadian jurisdictions, discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression is still not prohibited in the Canadian Human Rights Act or in several provinces.

The Liberal government has promised to amend the federal human rights law and the Criminal Code to better protect the human rights of trans people. PSAC will hold them to account on that promise.

Safe spaces for all

Our union led the way in negotiating human rights protection for GLBT people, and we made important makes gains through complaints, grievances and in the courts.

PSAC works hard to ensure that all work places are safe spaces for all of our members, in pride and solidarity.