Diversity is Canada’s strength, and the Government of Canada is committed to creating more diverse and inclusive work environments where every Canadian has a fair and equal chance to reach their full potential. To mark the beginning of Black History Month, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour, highlighted projects that aim to remove barriers to employment for members of the Black community. The projects are funded through the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) grants and contributions program.

“Representation matters, but barriers to employment still exist for many Black Canadians. By working hand-in-hand with organizations that are leading the change, we can make federally regulated workplaces more representative, inclusive and fair. Ultimately, it will help businesses succeed. Because when you include everyone, you get the best.”

– The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Labour 

“In Canada, diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice. This month, as we celebrate the remarkable achievements of Black Canadians and their communities, we also need to acknowledge that systemic anti-Black racism continues to create barriers to employment for people of African descent in Canada. These projects will help to address these obstacles and contribute to creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces across the country.”

– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion

“We are very pleased to be leading this important project. Banking leaders have so much expertise and experience to contribute; the more people we have participating in these discussions, the better we will understand the challenges and potential solutions. We are at a moment in time where we have a great opportunity to build on this momentum and make a lasting difference.”

– Dr. Rustum Southwell, CEO, Black Business Initiative 

“Black Canadians continue to make large impacts in various sectors across Canada, but we know and see that barriers still exist. As a national not-for-profit that strives to dismantle anti-Black racism and advance opportunities for Black Canadians, we are pleased to be able to elevate our work around barriers to employment through this grant. We will work with our partners at RBC Canada and the University of Toronto to engage employers in the banking sector to explore opportunities to dismantle barriers that still exist today.”

– Christopher Thompson, Executive Director, Federation of Black Canadians

“We recognize that the barriers people face as they look for employment can be related to the identities they hold. By increasing our understanding of people’s experiences, we hope to better support members of the BIPOC community who experience disability as they look for, attain and maintain competitive employment. The Canadian workforce needs the contributions of all of our country’s diverse population.”

– Joanna Goode, Executive Director, Canadian Association for Supported Employment

Related products

• Backgrounder: Projects funded through 2021 solicited call for proposals to reduce barriers to employment in federally regulated workplaces

Associated links

• Black History Month
• News release: Government of Canada launches call for concepts to help break down barriers to employment in federally regulated workplaces
• Black Business Initiative
• Federation of Black Canadians
• Canadian Association for Supported Employment
• Employment equity in federally regulated workplaces

For media enquiries, please contact:

Daniel Pollak
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Labour
343-551-7558
daniel.pollak@labour-travail.gc.ca

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