New Council Demands Federal Action on Stalled Employment Equity Reforms

OTTAWA, ON – March 23, 2026 – A powerful new coalition representing 20 labour unions, human rights organizations, and community groups has launched a national campaign to pressure the federal government into modernizing Canada’s decades-old employment equity framework. The newly formed National Employment Equity Council (NEEC) is calling for immediate action in the next federal budget to implement long-overdue recommendations, chiefly the recognition of Black people and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals as distinct employment equity groups.

The announcement, strategically made on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, signals growing impatience with the government's pace of reform. The Council’s mandate is to hold Ottawa accountable for promises made following the landmark 2023 Employment Equity Act Task Force report, which has yet to be fully translated into law.

“Canada cannot build a strong economy if large segments of its workforce remain excluded from decision-making,” said Nicholas Marcus Thompson, one of the Council’s inaugural Co-Chairs and President of the Black Class Action Secretariat. “The time for consultation has passed, the next federal budget must take concrete steps to implement the Task Force recommendations, including the addition of new employment equity groups.”

A Report Gathering Dust

The NEEC's formation is a direct response to what many advocates describe as federal inaction on a critical file. In December 2023, the Employment Equity Act Task Force, chaired by Professor Adelle Blackett, delivered its comprehensive report, “A Transformative Framework to Achieve and Sustain Employment Equity.” The report, the first major review of the Act since 1995, contained 187 detailed recommendations for overhauling the system.

Among its most significant proposals were the creation of two new designated equity categories for Black workers and 2SLGBTQI+ workers, acknowledging the unique and systemic barriers they face. It also recommended updating terminology, such as replacing “visible minorities” with “racialized people” and “Aboriginal peoples” with “Indigenous peoples,” and strengthening enforcement mechanisms through a potential Employment Equity Commissioner.

While the government initially expressed support for the report’s direction, committing to creating the new designated groups, concrete legislative action and corresponding budget allocations have not materialized. This delay has fueled frustration among the very communities the Act is intended to protect, prompting the formation of the NEEC to consolidate advocacy efforts and amplify the call for change.

“Employment equity is a matter of human rights and fairness,” stated Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada’s English-speaking section, a participating organization. “Modernizing the legislation is essential to ensure that workplaces across the country reflect the diversity and dignity of the people who contribute to them.”

High Stakes for a Million Workers

The Employment Equity Act applies to approximately one million workers across federally regulated industries, including the federal public service, banking, telecommunications, and transportation. These sectors form the backbone of the Canadian economy, and advocates argue that their failure to reflect the country’s diversity is not just a social issue, but an economic one.

The Council emphasizes that ensuring fair opportunities for all Canadians to contribute their full potential is essential for building a resilient and innovative economy. The current framework, which still designates groups based on categories established nearly 40 years ago, is seen as outdated and insufficient for addressing the nuanced realities of systemic discrimination in the 21st century.

Labour unions, which represent a significant portion of the affected workforce, are a driving force behind the new council. “Workers across federally regulated sectors deserve workplaces where opportunity is fair and transparent,” said Nathan Prier, President of the Canadian Association of Professional Employees. “We are calling on the government to move forward with meaningful reforms that strengthen accountability and deliver real results for workers.”

A Legacy of Advocacy

The leadership of the National Employment Equity Council brings a wealth of experience and a history of high-profile advocacy to the table. The appointments of its inaugural Co-Chairs underscore the seriousness of the coalition's intent.

Nicholas Marcus Thompson is the lead plaintiff in a proposed $2.5 billion class-action lawsuit against the federal government, alleging decades of systemic discrimination against Black public service employees. His work with the Black Class Action Secretariat has been instrumental in highlighting deep-rooted inequities within federal institutions.

Co-Chair Tyler Boyce is the Executive Director of the Enchanté Network, Canada’s national network for 2SLGBTQI+ community organizations. An expert in public policy and a champion for queer and trans rights, Boyce has led efforts to secure federal investments and build capacity for hundreds of organizations across the country.

They are joined by Phylomène Zangio, Founder of the New Brunswick Provincial Council for People of African Descent and former Chair of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission, whose career has been dedicated to advancing human rights and racial justice at the provincial level.

With the federal budget on the horizon, this formidable coalition has drawn a clear line in the sand. Their collective message to the government is that the era of consultations and promises is over, and the time for concrete, funded, legislative action has arrived.