Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour, announced the 2019 annual Employment Equity Achievement Award winners. These awards recognize federally regulated private-sector employers and federal contractors for their outstanding achievements in employment equity and their commitment to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.
The awards highlight the Government's commitment to continuing to work with employers to improve working conditions and the lives of all Canadians. They are also an opportunity to highlight employers for achieving greater workplace inclusion and employment equity for the four designated groups under the Employment Equity Act: women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities.
This year, 14 employers from across the country are recognized for outstanding commitment to employment equity, innovation and sector distinction. Three employers are recognized in the employment equity champion category for demonstrating their outstanding commitment to employment equity and for their overall contribution to diversity and inclusiveness in their workplace. Over the last three years, award recipients have been recognized during the Employment Equity Achievement Awards ceremony. Unfortunately, this year's awards ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the full list of winners is now available online.
Quotes
"I am very pleased to be recognizing employers that provide workplaces that are fair and inclusive and make this country an even better place to work. By identifying and removing employment barriers, employers are helping under-represented groups achieve success in the workplace and contribute meaningfully to Canada's economic growth. Our future prosperity depends on all Canadians being able to fully participate in today's workforce."
- The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister of Labour
Quick facts
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The purpose of the Employment Equity Act is to achieve equality so that no one is denied employment opportunities or benefits for reasons unrelated to ability, and to correct conditions of disadvantage experienced by members of the four designated groups.
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There are two legislated programs under the Act: the Legislated Employment Equity Program and the Federal Contractors Program. The Legislated Program applies to over 500 federally regulated private-sector employers that have 100 or more employees with a combined workforce of approximately 720,000 employees. The Federal Contractors Program applies to employers who receive contracts with the Government of Canada valued at $1 million or more (including applicable taxes) and who have a workforce of 100 employees or more.
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Under the Act, employers must report annually on the representation of the four designated groups in their workplaces and on the steps they have taken to improve employment equity in their workplace. The Act also requires the Minister of Labour to table an annual report in Parliament consisting of the consolidation and analysis of the reports filed by federally regulated private-sector employers, federal Crown corporations and other federal government business enterprises. The most recent report, Employment Equity Act: Annual Report is available online.
