July 31, 2015 Montréal, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, announced support to encourage women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities to consider a career in the longshoring industry where these groups have traditionally been under-represented.
Under the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program, the Maritime Employers Association will receive $71,500 for a project that will help increase the representation of the four designated groups under the Employment Equity Act in the longshoring industry by positioning it as a workplace of choice in terms of opportunities, flexibility and salary.
Through the creation of industry-tailored strategies and partnerships, the WORBE program is providing up to $500,000 annually for projects that improve the representation of women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities in federally regulated workplaces.
“Our Government wants to create an inclusive workforce, one that respects and promotes diversity. We believe that a workforce that reflects the diversity of Canada’s population will contribute to a stronger Canadian economy.”
– The Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P., Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
"At the Port of Montreal, women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities account for 38% of the longshore workers we have recently hired. Despite this encouraging result, we still have difficulty attracting these workers to this rather unconventional trade. The MEA feels privileged to have received a contribution from the Government of Canada for the production of a video that, once used, will be a powerful promotional tool among these groups."
– Jean Bédard, President and Chief Executive Officer, Maritime Employers Association
Andrew McGrath
Director of Communications
Office of the Hon. Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, P.C., O.Ont., M.P.
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women
819-953-5646
andrew.mcgrath@labour-travail.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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The Employment Equity Act aims to achieve equality in the workplace so that no one is denied opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability, and to address workplace disadvantages faced by the four designated groups: women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities.
The Labour Program ensures that federally regulated private-sector employers and Crown corporations report annually on the representation of these designated groups in their workplaces and on the steps they have taken to achieve full representation through the Legislated
Employment Equity Program. Employment equity must be included in the employment plans and practices of all federally regulated businesses with 100 or more employees.
There have been varying degrees of progress in improving the representation of the designated groups toward achieving equity. However, under-representation persists in a number of occupational groups and industries.
Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity is a new grant and contribution program designed to support employers subject to the Employment Equity Act in their efforts to improve designated group representation in areas of low representation through partnerships and industry-tailored strategies.
