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New Brunswick’s Department of Justice and Public Safety issues cryptic statement after employee complaint

A cryptic statement on fair and respectful treatment of staff has been issued by New Brunswick’s deputy minister of the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

It follows a matter referred to the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission by an employee. There will be no further comment, the province said in a press release.

“The Province of New Brunswick’s Department of Justice and Public Safety provides a variety of essential services to New Brunswickers. Employees of the Department of Justice and Public Safety serve as correctional officers, members of the sheriff’s offices, and in other vital capacities to help make the province safe, and they often put their own safety at risk in the process,” it said in the release. “The Department of Justice and Public Safety is committed to maximizing the safety and well-being of all its employees.”

And here’ the key point from the press release:

“On this point, the Department of Justice and Public Safety wants to be clear: all employees deserve fair and equitable treatment, regardless of their age, gender, gender identity, race, religion and other personal characteristics. Diversity should be valued and celebrated in this province, and discriminatory behaviour is not condoned.”

As a result of occurrences that have been brought to its attention, the Department of Justice and Public Safety has renewed its commitment to fair and equitable treatment of all employees, it said.

“In the coming months, the Department of Justice and Public Safety will be working with the Human Rights Commission in conducting training that will underline the requirement for fair and respectful treatment of all Department of Justice and Public Safety staff. We are committed to ensuring that all of our courageous Justice and Public Safety members – regardless of their personal characteristics – are treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve,” it said.