Feds launching major review of Employment Equity Act

Ottawa is looking to undertake an extensive review of the Employment Equity Act – which helps promote fairness, equality and diversity in federally regulated workplaces.

As part of that, it has assembled a task force of 13 people.

"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 21st century and embrace the true potential of all workers,” says Filomena Tassi, minister of labour. 

“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."

The task force includes 13 members led by chair Adelle Blackett, who is also a professor of law and the Canada research chair in Transnational Labour Law and Development at the Faculty of Law, McGill University.

Over the next few months, the task force will study the act and consult with stakeholders, communities and Canadians on issues related to employment equity. The task force will study the following areas of concerns:

• How to redefine and expand equity groups
• How to better support equity-related groups
• How to improve accountability, compliance, enforcement and public reporting of employment equity

Their final report is expected in early 2022.

Government initiatives

Recently, the federal government amended the Public Service Employment Act to address systemic barriers for equity-seeking groups.

The federal government is also 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
• 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