The Employment Equity Act is an important tool for Canada to promote fairness, equality and diversity in federally regulated workplaces. Since its introduction in 1986, continued progress has been made for the four designated groups covered by the Act. However, there is still work ahead to address inequalities and long-standing barriers that limit workers from reaching their full potential. The COVID-19 pandemic, recent tragedies and movements for social change have made this even clearer.

“The Employment Equity Act is a critical tool to ensure that our workplaces are equitable, diverse and representative spaces. The Task Force’s work will be vital in identifying changes to help bring this Act into the 21^st century and embrace the true potential of all workers. The pandemic, as well as many recent and tragic events, has demonstrated the depth to which change is needed now. As we look toward our future, we have an opportunity to make the kinds of changes that will result in more fair and equal opportunities for everyone to succeed—and that benefits workers, employers and all Canadians.”
– Minister of Labour, Filomena Tassi 

“Modernizing the Employment Equity Act to reflect the diversity of our society is a major step in building a consciously more inclusive Canada. Systemic racism and discrimination disproportionally affect LGBTQ2 Canadians, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized Canadians, and other equity-seeking groups. The Government of Canada will continue to work on strengthening diversity and inclusion across federally regulated workplaces from coast to coast to coast through recommendations made by the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force.”
– Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, Bardish Chagger

“I am honoured by the opportunity to work on this timely and important review with each Task Force member, including my two vice-chairs. Task Force members bring a rich range of expertise and experience to the table that I’m confident will offer a strong foundation for the recommendations that we’ll develop and provide to the Minister of Labour. Redressing systemic racism and discrimination matters deeply to workers and employers in federally regulated workplaces across Canada, and to our society as a whole. Together, let’s cultivate a legacy of equitable inclusion and flourishing workplaces with a renewed Employment Equity Act that achieves equality.”
– Professor Adelle Blackett, Task Force Chair 

 

• On November 30, 2020, the Fall Economic Statement 2020 included $6.6 million in 2021–2022 to conduct a review of the Employment Equity Act. A renewed Act is expected to contribute to ensuring that Canada’s economic recovery is equitable, inclusive and fair, as well as improving employment equity outcomes for workers. 

• The 13 members of the Task Force, including the Chair, Professor Adelle Blackett, and vice-chairs, Professors Marie-Thérèse Chicha and Dionne Pohler, are: Tao (Tony) Fang, Kari Giddings, Helen Kennedy, Raji Mangat, Fo Niemi, Kami Ramcharan, Sandra Sutter, Josh Vander Vies, Marie Clarke Walker and Ruth Williams.

• The Employment Equity Act applies to the following industries and workplaces:

  • federally regulated industries, Crown corporations and other federal organizations with 100 employees or more; and
  • portions of the federal public administration identified in:
    • Schedules I or IV of the Financial Administration Act (FAA);
    • Schedule V of the FAA with 100 employees or more; and
    • other portions of the public sector by order of the Governor in Council, which includes the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

   

• The Act aims to:

  • achieve and promote equality in the workplace so that no one is denied employment opportunities or benefits for reasons unrelated to ability; and
  • address workplace disadvantages and eliminate barriers faced by the designated groups.

• In addition to the review of the Employment Equity Act, the Government is making other important changes to help achieve greater equality in federally regulated workplaces, such as:

  • Moving forward with the implementation of the Pay Equity Act, which will help ensure that women receive equal pay for work of equal value in federally regulated workplaces. The final regulations were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette on July 7, 2021. The Act and pursuant Regulations will come into force on August 31, 2021.
  • Implementing pay transparency measures aimed at addressing wage gaps that affect women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities in the federally regulated private sector.
  • Introducing workplace harassment and violence prevention legislation through Bill C-65 and pursuant Regulations to provide a comprehensive, streamlined approach to protecting workers against all forms of harassment and violence. The legislation and its Regulations came into force on January 1, 2021.

• Through Budget 2021, the Government of Canada has also amended the Public Service Employment Act to address systemic barriers for equity-seeking groups in public service staffing. These amendments represent foundational work that will help departments take measures in their staffing actions to reduce barriers and encourage more inclusive recruitment practices. 

Related products

• Backgrounder: Employment Equity Act Review Task Force

Associated links

• Speech from the Throne (September 23, 2020)
• News Release: Taking Action to Address Potential Barriers in Staffing: Public Service Employment Act amendments receive Royal Assent

For media enquiries, please contact:

Rachel Rappaport
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Filomena Tassi, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Labour
613-790-2087
rachel.rappaport@labour-travail.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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