Diversity and inclusion in Canada
Interested in immigrating to Canada but have questions about these progressive policies in the workplace and everyday life? Here's some information about inclusion and respect for diversity in the land of maple syrup.
Canada is recognized worldwide as a country that values diversity and inclusion in its development. However, the country's history is not without its blemishes: many injustices have been committed against indigenous peoples in the past. Before the arrival of the first European immigrants, these indigenous peoples already had languages and traditions as the first peoples of North America.
Today, Canada wants to make amends with these minority peoples. Its path towards National Reconciliation reflects a desire to move towards a more inclusive society.
Canada's rich Aboriginal heritage, its bilingualism and multiculturalism policies, and the waves of immigration that continue today all contribute to making Canada a highly diverse country.
Some figures on diversity in Canada
In Canada, more than 450 ethnic or cultural origins were declared in the 2021 Canadian Census. “Canadian” (5.7 million), "English" (5.3 million), "Irish" (4.4 million), "Scottish" (4.4 million) and "French" (4.0 million) were the most frequently mentioned origins.
Despite undeniable demographic growth, racialized groups remain very much in the minority compared to Caucasian Canadians. In 2021, South Asians (7.1%), Chinese (4.7%), and Blacks (4.3%) together accounted for 16.1% of the country's total population.
More than half the Canadian population declared a religion related to Christianity, while more than a third said they had no religious affiliation. Less than 5% of the Canadian population identified themselves as Muslim.
The country's non-Canadian population must also be taken into account, as Canada has the highest proportion of immigrants among G7 countries. Nearly one in four people enumerated in the 2021 Census are or have been landed immigrants or permanent residents. Asians, Europeans, and Africans... You'll meet all kinds of nationalities in Canada!
Diversity and inclusion in everyday life in Canada
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms recognizes that all citizens are equal, regardless of gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation. Racist and xenophobic attitudes, as well as a lack of tolerance and open-mindedness, are generally frowned upon in Canada. The aspiration for equality between men and women, support for people with disabilities, the issue of ethnic minorities, and the rights of the LGBTQI+ community are values rooted in society.
For example, during Pride Season, street parties and parades take place across the country to celebrate the LGBTQI+ community. Big cities like Vancouver and Montreal each have their own LGBTQI+ district, which is often very festive and popular all year round.
Same-sex marriage has been legal throughout Canada since the passage of the Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005. By the time the Act was passed, courts had already made same-sex marriage legal in most Canadian provinces and territories. For example, Quebec's first same-sex marriage took place in Montreal on July 18, 2002.
Women's social movements are also very present in Canada, particularly in Quebec, often described as a matriarchal and/or feminist society. Compared to other countries, Canada has the reputation of being a very safe country for women. Street harassment is very rare.
Despite the many means put in place by government and NGOs to promote diversity and inclusion at all levels, socio-economic disparities persist in Canadian society, as in all countries. As this study shows, new immigrants to Canada, especially those of racialized backgrounds, are never totally free from racism and discrimination. For more information, visit Statistics Canada's Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Statistics Hub.
Diversity and inclusion at work in Canada
The concept of "diversity and inclusion" is particularly prevalent in the Canadian workplace. Bersin by Deloitte defines it as "the variety of people and ideas in an organization, and the creation of an environment where everyone experiences a sense of belonging and feels respected, valued and interconnected, and expresses their authentic selves". According to research published in 2014, almost half of Canadian companies had already invested in diversity and inclusion strategies at the time.
However, the same study showed that putting these strategies into practice was shaky and took a back seat.
Ten years later, Canada has not abandoned its mission to make its workforce more inclusive and diverse, including the public service. The government aims to be transparent by regularly publishing statistics on the overall representation of employment equity groups, including women, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. The government is considering possible amendments to the Public Service Employment Act and the Employment Equity Act.
Concrete tools, such as the Federal Speakers' Forum on Lived Experience, have been implemented to combat systemic injustices.
While visible progress is undeniable, it's clear that Canada still has some way to go to achieve its goals in terms of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. According to Statistics Canada, in 2021, the gender wage gap for full-time and part-time employees was 0.89, meaning that women earned 89 cents for every dollar earned by men. Wage disparities are particularly pronounced for racialized, aboriginal, and newcomer women.
The Canadian Women's Foundation also notes that more men (87%) are employed full-time than women (75.6%). Only 13% of men are employed part-time, and 24.4% of women are employed part-time.
Living with a disability in Canada
In Canada, 59% of people with disabilities are employed, compared with 80% of people without disabilities. An estimated 1.9 million disabled people aged 15 to 64 are neither in school nor at work. The employment rate is lower for people with disabilities, and they are more likely to work in low-skilled jobs.
In 2022, Canada launched its first-ever Action Plan for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities. The plan includes measures such as an employment strategy for people with disabilities, an investment of over $270 million, the creation of a council on the inclusion of people with disabilities, and the modernization of the Employment Equity Act. For more information, consult this document.
Good to know:
You can't put your photo on your CV in Canada! The law prohibits discrimination based on personal or physical characteristics. If you feel you've been discriminated against in the workplace, you may be able to file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
Useful links:
Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI)
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
