1. Metropolis British Columbia Racism in the Workplace Challenges Facing Visible Minorities in the Workplace: An Overview Debbie Nider, Racism Prevention Officer Racism-Free Workplace Strategy Labour Program, Pacific North West Region

2. Canadas Legal Framework for Diversity 1947 – Canadian Citizenship Act 1948 – International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Canadian ratification in 1952) & Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1958 – International Convention concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation (Canadian ratification in 1964) 1960 – Canadian Bill of Rights 1963 – Establishment of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism 1965 – International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Canadian ratification in 1970) 1969 – Official Languages Act 1971 – Canadas Multiculturalism Policy

3. Canadas Legal Framework for Diversity 1976 – Immigration Act 1977 – Canadian Human Rights Act 1979 – Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (Canadian ratification in 1981) 1982 – Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1984 – Special Parliamentary Committee Report, Equality Now, calls for a multiculturalism act 1985 – Equality Rights article (Section 15) of the Cdn. Charter of Rights and Freedoms enters into force 1986 – Employment Equity Act 1988 – Canadian Multiculturalism Act 1990 – Canadian Race Relations Foundation Act

4. Racism Free Workplace Strategy Part of the Canadas Action Plan Against Racism –Canadian Heritage –Justice Canada –Citizenship & Immigration Canada –HRSDC – Labour Program Racism Free Workplace Strategy –Remove employment barriers and promote the upward mobility of Visible Minorities and Aboriginal Peoples 8 RPOs - Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montréal & Halifax

5. RPO Role – Who We Work With Employers within the: –Federal Contractors Program (FCP) & –Legislated Employment Equity Program (LEEP) Workplace Equity Officers & Workplace Equity Technical Advisors Stakeholder organizations such as: –Visible Minority & Aboriginal Communities –Federal, Provincial, Municipal and Territorial Governments –Federal & Provincial Human Rights Commissions –Unions

6. Challenges Facing Visible Minorities in the Workplace Recognition of credentials and experience Lack of money, lack of computer skills, loss of self- confidence, lack of space in daycare centres Language – lack of French and/or English skills Cultural barriers – lack of information about the labour market and its rules Systemic obstacles Discrimination and racism

7. Racism Any action, policy, practice or behaviour which is detrimental to a person or group of persons, which limits or denies a person or group of persons opportunities, privileges, roles or rewards based on race.

8. Stereotyping in the Workplace and Impacts on Visible Minorities Stereotypes are: Generalizations used to distinguish a group Typically exaggerated or oversimplified descriptions Often offensive The foundation of prejudice and discrimination Positive and Negative

9. Barriers to Inclusion: Interviewing and Non- Verbal Differences / Body Language MainstreamMeaningCultures Minimal Eye ContactAvoidant Hiding Something Not Trustworthy Respect Authority Non-Aggressive Polite Aboriginal Japanese Chinese Head movementsShake means no or Im not sure Lack of confidence Shake means yes, I agree, I am listening and understand your point Pakistan, Southern India Language StylesShort abrupt answers mean not friendly, impolite, uneducated Curt phrases are limited for courtesy Aboriginal SilenceInsecurity Lack of knowledge Disinterest Reserve Show Respect for person Give thought to responses Aboriginal Eastern cultures

10. CHRC Prohibited Grounds Race National or Ethnic Origin Colour Age Sexual Orientation Marital Status Sex (including pregnancy) Religion Disability Family Status Pardoned Conviction

11. Demographics: Visible Minorities 2006 Census Canadas total population = 31,241,030 Visible Minorities accounted for 16.2% of Canadas total population = 5,068,100 The Visible Minority population increased 5 times faster than the growth rate of the total population This trend is expected to continue well into 2017 Growth in Visible Minority population due to newcomers to Canada

12. Demographics Visible Minorities cont.. Chinese and Blacks are respectively the 2 nd and 3 rd largest Visible Minority groups (South Asians are #1). 96% of Visible Minority population live in a CMA (census metropolitan area) More than half of the Visible Minority workforce are concentrated in ON (54%), BC (20%), QC (12%) Visible Minorities are younger than the total population. 46.5% are at the working age of 25-54.

13. Demographics Visible Minorities (cont) By the year 2011, immigration will be the sole source of net labour force growth, and almost 90% of these immigrants will be visible minorities It is projected that by the year 2017: One Canadian in five could be a Visible Minority person Half of the population in Toronto and Vancouver may be Visible Minorities

14. BC Visible Minority Population (Statistics Canada – Census 2006)

15. Projections 2031: from Projections of the diversity of the Canadian population, 2006-2031, Statscan Between 29%-32% of the population could belong to a visible minority group as defined in the Employment Equity Act Vast majority (96%) of people belonging to a visible minority group would continue to live in one of the 33 census metropolitan areas By 2031: Visible minority groups would comprise –63% of Toronto –59% of Vancouver –38% of Calgary –31% of Montreal

16. Projections 2031: from a Leger Marketing Poll done for the Association for Canadian Studies Prediction – by 2031 one in three Canadians will belong to a visible minority group and One person in 4 will be foreign-born The Abbotsford-Mission region is predicted to rank 3 rd most visibly diverse market (39% of the population) after Toronto and Vancouver, slightly more than Calgary (38%)

17. RFWS Tools and Resources: Training Workshops Building A Business Case for Racial Diversity Introduction to Diversity Building Inclusive Workplaces Diversity in the Canadian Workplace: Experiences of Visible Minorities Work for All: Stop Racism In the Workplace – an NFB program Inclusive Recruitment Strategies & Interviewing Techniques Duty to Accommodate

18. Debbie Nider Racism Prevention Officer Racism Free Workplace Strategy Email: Debbie.nider@labour-travail.gc.ca Phone:604-872-4384 Ext. 783 Thank you!