Employment Equity Act Review Task Force
From: Employment and Social Development Canada
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Background
Canada's strength lies in its diversity.
The Government of Canada has taken steps to advance equity over the years. However, we know more work is necessary to create a level playing field for all Canadians. Creating equitable, diverse and inclusive workplaces will help grow our middle class. It will also help build a country where every Canadian has a real and fair chance to succeed and contribute to the economy.
In support of this commitment, the Government of Canada established a Task Force to conduct a review of the Employment Equity Act.
The aim of the Employment Equity Act is to remove systemic barriers for individuals in the 4 designated groups under the Act in federally regulated workplaces:
- women
- Indigenous peoplesFootnote 1
- persons with disabilities, and
- members of visible minorities
These systemic barriers exist in the recruitment, promotion and retention of individuals in the 4 designated groups.
The 1984 Equality in Employment: A Royal Commission report identified these groups as having:
- lower salaries
- higher unemployment rates, and
- greater concentration in lower-paying occupational groups
Since 1984, the Government of Canada has learned more about these barriers and as a result have committed to reviewing the Employment Equity Act.
The Task Force undertook a comprehensive review of the Employment Equity Act and its supporting programs. As part of this work, they engaged with:
- stakeholder organizations
- partners, and
- Canadians
Through their engagement, the Task Force obtained views about employment equity and the promotion of equity, diversity and inclusion in federal workplaces.
The Task Force’s report to the Minister of Labour includes:
- results of their research and key findings
- advice based on their own expertise, as well as from engagement session participants and from written submissions, and
- concrete, independent and evidence-based recommendations on how to modernize and improve the employment equity framework
About the Task Force
The Task Force brought together a group of 12 members. They provided valuable advice and input to the Minister of Labour on a range of workplace equity, diversity and inclusion issues. Together, the members brought diversity from their:
- expertise
- lived and professional experience, and
- perspectives related to equity, for example:
- accessibility
- gender equality
- Indigenous employment
- official languages, and
- anti-racism
The Chairperson led the Task Force with the support of 1 vice-chair. They worked collaboratively:
- at arm's-length from the Government to provide independent advice, and
- in a transparent a manner reflecting the Government of Canada's policy on Open Government
For more information about the Task Force, its role and meetings, please consult:
Engagement and consultations
The Task Force engaged with Canadians, stakeholders and partners to hear their views and about their lived experiences related to employment equity. The Task Force considered the input they received during their review of the EEA.
Information about the Task Force's consultations.
This consultation opened on February 28, 2022 and closed on April 28, 2022.
Task force final report
Professor Adelle Blackett, Chair, submitted the final report of Employment Equity Act Review Task Force to the Minister of Labour. This report will serve to inform the Government of Canada’s modernization of the Employment Equity Act framework.
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