Human Resources Legislative Update
Federal Government Consulting on Modernization of Employment Equity Act
Date: May 8, 2024
The federal government has announced a “Consultation on the Employment Equity Act Modernization” (Consultation) further to the final report (Final Report) tabled by the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force in December 2023.
At the time the Final Report was tabled, the Minister of Labour announced the government’s initial commitments to modernize the Employment Equity Act (Act) to:
- create two new designated groups under the Act: Black people and 2SLGBTQI+ people
- replace the term “Aboriginal Peoples” with “Indigenous Peoples,” and update the definition to include First Nations, Métis and Inuit to ensure it is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
- replace the term “members of visible minorities” with “racialized people” and update the corresponding definition
- align the definition of “persons with disabilities” with the Accessible Canada Act to make it more inclusive
The government is now consulting on the best way to implement these and other recommendations.
It states the focus of the Consultation is Indigenous partners and stakeholders subject to the Act. This includes, among others, equity groups, private-sector employers, employers’ groups and associations, and public-sector employers and partners. Interested parties not specified may also provide feedback.
The Consultation states the key issues for discussion include:
- the purpose of the Act
- designated groups (for example, definitions, terminology)
- collection of survey data
- support provided to employees and employers
- accountability, compliance and enforcement
- public reporting
To participate, interested parties must provide feedback through the Consultation paper, which can be obtained by emailing edsc.lee-eea.esdc@labour-travail.gc.ca.
The Consultation period closes on July 31, 2024.
See our Federal Post of December 14, 2023, Employment Equity Act Task Force Releases Final Report, for more information on the recommendations of the Task Force.
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