Equity in question

January 24, 2025

On Monday November 25, the world's largest retailer, Walmart rolled back its diversity, equity and inclusion policies, joining a growing list of major corporations that have done the same after such policies have come under increased scrutiny. The Government of Canada has legislative commitments to DEI in hiring and representation of racial minorities is regarded as an important outcome in achieving government hiring goals and is also often required amongst employers that with contractual relationships with the Government. Yet there is clearly pushback on DEI approaches that extend to hiring practices and support for employment equity (affirmative action in the US) appears to be softening both in Canada perhaps more so than it is in the United States. This conclusion is drawn from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies which reveals that some 57% of Canadians disagree that when hiring people, it is important for employers to take into account their cultural background (e.g., racial status / visible minority). In the United States some 46% disagree with taking cultural background into account when hiring. The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1539 respondents in Canada over the period November 22 to 24, 2024. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey for comparison purposes. A probability sample of 1539 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20. In the United States, the survey was conducted by Leger with 1009 respondents over the period November 22-24, 2024 and has a probabilistic margin of error of ±3.9%, 19 times out of 20.