International Day for People of African Descent: BCAS Calls on Ottawa to Deliver Employment Equity Reform

TORONTO, August 31, 2026 — On the United Nations International Day for People of African Descent, the Black Class Action Secretariat (BCAS) is calling on the federal government to introduce legislation this fall to modernize Canada's Employment Equity Act, while recognizing generations of Black Canadians whose contributions and advocacy helped make Canada a stronger and fairer country.

More than a century ago, Black men volunteered to serve Canada during the First World War and were initially rejected because of their race. Their persistence contributed to the formation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion in 1916. Its members served Canada while facing segregation and discrimination in the country they had volunteered to defend.

In the decades that followed, Black workers continued to challenge discrimination in Canadian workplaces. Black railway porters organized for better working conditions and greater opportunity. Bromley Lloyd Armstrong, one of Canada's leading labour and human rights advocates, challenged racial discrimination in employment and helped advance human rights protections that benefited workers across the country. That history is important because the struggle for equal opportunity in employment is not over.

Black workers continue to face systemic barriers in employment, advancement and leadership. Canada's Employment Equity Act Review Task Force documented persistent barriers affecting Black workers and recommended that Black people be recognized as a distinct employment equity group.

In December 2023, the Government of Canada announced its support for creating a new employment equity group for Black people and committed to introducing legislation to modernize the Employment Equity Act. Nearly three years later, Black workers are still waiting for that commitment to become law.

Black workers have helped build this country and have been part of the struggle to make its workplaces fairer for everyone. The government acknowledged the systemic barriers facing Black workers and committed to modernizing the Employment Equity Act. Nearly three years later, that commitment has not been implemented. Recognition without implementation will not remove a single workplace barrier. We are calling on the government to introduce the legislation this fall.  Nicholas Marcus Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Black Class Action Secretariat.

BCAS is calling on the Government of Canada to introduce legislation to modernize the Employment Equity Act when Parliament returns this fall and to move forward with the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force recommendations.

The modernization of the Act should recognize the distinct barriers experienced by Black workers while strengthening employment equity for all employment equity groups, improving accountability and ensuring workers have a fair opportunity to contribute and advance.

Employment equity is about removing systemic barriers that prevent people from competing and succeeding on a fair basis. Advancing employment equity for Black workers does not diminish the rights or opportunities of others; stronger and fairer workplaces benefit everyone.

From the members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, to Black railway porters, Bromley Lloyd Armstrong and generations of Black workers who challenged discrimination, Black Canadians have played an important role in advancing workplace rights in Canada.

On this International Day for People of African Descent, BCAS honours that history by continuing the work to remove the barriers that remain.

Media Contact

Black Class Action media@bcas-srcn.org