Guest Blog: The Canadian Context – Visible Minorities and DEI in Canada

Understanding the unique challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Canada first requires a knowledge and appreciation of the country’s unique history and population demographics. Furthermore, it requires consideration of many key terms that are common in Canadian workplace parlance, how they have evolved over time, and how they are decoded differently in various provinces and territories.

In this article, we will examine the forces that are shaping DEI initiatives across Canada throughout the past decades, identify influences on DEI initiatives that are unique to Canada, and explore how past efforts to label diverse populations might be impeding the quality of DEI rollouts at several Canadian organizations.