Employment equity is a program of proactive, positive measures designed to increase the representation of workers who have historically been disadvantaged in the workplace to a level that reflects their availability in the labour market, and to identify and eliminate artificial barriers in the workplace that prevent designated group members from accessing jobs, promotions, training, etc.

It’s about changing workplace culture and hiring practices so that members of these groups get jobs they are qualified to do and they can fully contribute to the workplace.

Employment equity recognizes that women, Aboriginal peoples, racialized people, and people with disabilities are often held back – not because they lack ability – but because of things that are unrelated to their ability. Things like racism, discrimination, bias, stereotypes, assumptions, and systems that were not designed inclusively.