New legislation introduced by the Alberta government requires public sector hiring to be done on the basis of merit rather than on the basis of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or as it is also known “DEI.” As Premier Danielle Smith explained to reporters when Bill 33 was introduced:
“Albertans expect public institutions to hire and promote the best qualified people and ensure that everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed based on their skills, experience and qualifications,”
The bill also prohibits mandatory DEI training, unless necessary for the job. It requires that any mandatory training “be ideologically neutral and focused on job related duties and skills.”
The Aristotle Foundation undertook a study this year, reviewing 301 federal government jobs and found that DEI language was in 95 percent of the job postings, and 42 percent of the postings indicated that DEI may be used to determine priority in hiring. Similar data isn’t available for Alberta.
On the surface, God’s Word speaks positively about:
- Diversity, since He is the LORD of all – Rom. 10:12,
- Equity, because “in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek” – also Rom. 10:12
- Inclusion, as all humanity was made in God’s image – Gen. 1:27
But the world has twisted these concepts, divorcing them from God’s purpose for humanity and using them to further a political agenda.
In particular, our culture has divided God’s image-bearers into competing groups of “oppressor” and “oppressed,” justifying special treatment for those they deem to be “oppressed.” This undermines what God told us about His good creation in the very beginning – that we are all made in His image. As such, Scripture speaks strongly against perverting justice and showing favoritism (Leviticus 19:15, James 2:1).