Government of Canada recognizes employers at the annual Employment Equity Achievement Awards
News Release
October 5, 2017 Ottawa, Ontario Employment and Social Development Canada
On October 5, 2017, 18 employers were recognized for outstanding achievement in employment equity in their workplaces. The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour presented recipients with Employment Equity Achievement Awards at the event held in Ottawa.
These awards recognize federally regulated private-sector employers and federal contractors for their commitment to creating diverse and inclusive Canadian workplaces. They also provide a forum for showcasing and sharing best practices in implementing employment equity.
The awards highlight the Government’s commitment to continue to work with employers and federal contractors to make further progress on equity and inclusion for designated groups under the Employment Equity Act.
The Minister took the opportunity to highlight the progress being made to introduce new planned federal accessibility legislation by 2018 and to mention that work is underway to develop a modern pay equity regime that promotes equal pay for work of equal value.
Quotes
“The employers that were recognized for outstanding achievement in employment equity are showing real leadership in fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces. Our workplaces thrive when they are equitable, diverse and inclusive.’’
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
“Congratulations to the nominees and recipients of this year’s Employment Equity Achievement Awards. It’s fitting that we are recognizing your efforts and success during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, when employers are encouraged to think about how they can make their workplaces more inclusive, diverse and accessible for Canadians of all abilities. Our government is committed to helping create more inclusive workplaces and will introduce new federal legislation in 2018 leading towards a truly accessible and inclusive Canada.”
– The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
Quick Facts
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The Employment Equity Act seeks to correct disadvantages experienced in employment for four designated groups: women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.
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There are two legislated programs identified under the Act: the Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP) and the Federal Contractors Program.
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The LEEP applies to approximately 500 federally regulated private-sector employers, 30 Crown corporations and 5 other federal organizations that have 100 or more employees with a combined workforce of over 730,000 employees.
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The Federal Contractors Program ensures that contractors who receive contracts with the Government of Canada valued at $1 million or more and who have a workforce of 100 employees seek to achieve and maintain a workforce that is representative of the Canadian workforce, including members of the four designated groups under the Employment Equity Act.
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Contacts
Matt Pascuzzo
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
matt.pascuzzo@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-5613
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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