The report completed in July 2022 by Cathe Gaskella consultant to a company in the UK, results companywas published on Friday by the BCEHSthe provincial authority responsible for emergency services.

The publication was in response to a freedom of information request and portions of the report have been redacted to protect the privacy of others.

In particular, the report’s findings highlight that some employees have done so a low sensitivity Diversity, equality and inclusion issues. THE BCEHS assured that it will make significant internal changes.

Demands for change have multiplied over the past three years, particularly due to staff shortages and team burnout.

” This review found that despite the many challenges the staff shared [celui-ci] strived to work together as a team and provide quality services to communities […] A high level of goodwill was expressed in connection with cultural change. »

The report mentions several recommendations, including a review of education and the need for more data collection on sexuality and ethnicity.

The report notes that sexualized comments and derogatory gender jokes were tolerated within certain teams BCEHSThis makes it more difficult for some employees to report cases of sexual harassment.

Some employees believed that managers might be complicit in protecting friends and that there was still a “boys club” protecting from predatorsaccording to the report.

A “two-speed” system

One of the main recommendations of the report is the introduction of a gender equality strategy. The report also explains that some workers felt that there was a two-tier system, between full-time and part-time workers and between those working in rural areas and those working in urban areas.

THE BCEHS In response to the report, the company said it has already begun improving its hiring practices and developing training strategies. When asked about the delay in releasing the report, the chief rescue officer replied BCEHS, Leanne Heppellsaid the organization needs to be aware of the impact on employees and wants to make internal recommendations before releasing the findings.

The report also includes recommendations for the union, which represents 4,500 paramedics and emergency dispatchers BC Paramedic. The union declined an interview with CBC/Radio-Canada but said it wanted to work with the union BCEHS to address harassment issues and company culture.

With information from Akshay Kulkarni and David P Ball