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14/04/2005

Memorandum of Understanding between the Commission and the National Bank of Canada.

Press Release

Canadian Human Rights Commission and the National Bank of Canada sign a memorandum of understanding to reduce discrimination in the workplace

Montreal, April 14, 2005: The Canadian Human Rights Commission and the National Bank of Canada have signed a memorandum of understanding for implementing strategies to prevent discrimination in the workplace.

Signed on April 8, 2005, by Robert W. Ward, Secretary General of the Commission, and Kevin P. Smith, Vice-President, Human Resources Operations for the National Bank, the Memorandum recognizes that reducing discrimination requires a proactive and systemic approach.

"For a number of years now, the National Bank has been implementing flexible and effective options to prevent and resolve work and personal disputes," said Mr. Smith at the signing. "This memorandum of understanding will make it possible to resolve issues more easily, which is a definite advantage for employees."  The Commission and the Bank have agreed to review progress on an annual basis.

The National Bank has already taken several specific steps to prevent discrimination and to resolve complaints effectively and quickly.  Among other things, it has introduced alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs in a number of units and set up a network of resources, including a human resources services centre, a dedicated Intranet site, a staff ombudsman position, a staff relations unit and an employee assistance program.

"Memoranda of understanding are the cornerstone of the prevention program introduced by the Commission in 2004," said Mr. Ward. "Our objective is to help employers and service providers prevent and better respond to situations of discrimination.”

The Commission consults with the management team of organizations with which it develops MOUs to determine their main areas of concern and develop strategies to deal with them. Commission staff then work closely with stakeholders to develop solutions to human rights issues. These solutions could include drafting new policies or amending existing ones; sharing best practices by providing training and information on human rights; and developing tools such as case studies, presentations, posters and interactive teaching tools to assist employers.

"The Bank is proud to be the first federally regulated private-sector company to ratify a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian Human Rights Commission," added Mr. Smith.

The Commission expects further memoranda to be signed in coming months with other employers.  These measures reflect the Commission’s dedication to promoting and protecting equality rights in Canada.

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For information:

Denis Dubé, Director, Public Relations
National Bank of Canada
Telephone: (514) 394-8644
Fax: (514) 394-6258
E-mail: denis.dube@bnc.ca

or

Jean-Christophe Vlasiu
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Telephone: (613) 943-9120
E-mail: jean-christophe.vlasiu@chrc-ccdp.ca