Executive Summary

The Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) has championed the cause of equity since the earliest days of its mandate.

In the early 60’s delegates at Convention passed a resolution calling for legislation to address barriers to employment.  In 1983 the OFL Constitution was amended at Convention to establish five affirmative action seats for women on the OFL Executive Board.  Further Constitutional updates established seats for Aboriginal workers, Persons with Disabilities, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender workers and Visible Minority people.

In 2005 statistics consistently show that women, people of colour, persons with disabilities and Aboriginals are entering the workforce in larger numbers than ever before, and studies continue to show that they experience discrimination in employment opportunities.

The goal of employment equity means unions must strive for a representative workforce that reflects society.  Employment equity initiatives must identify and eliminate existing discrimination and remove the barriers faced by equity groups.

Federal and provincial employment equity legislation must be strengthened in order to achieve its objective – equity in employment—and unions must have the ability to participate fully in the development and monitoring of employment equity plans.

Inside our own unions we must convince our members that strong, enforceable legislation is needed to remedy the discrimination that exists.  We must debunk the myth that equity groups will have access to jobs and promotions that they are unqualified for and that equity in the workplace will undermine collective agreements.

Workers and their unions must join in solidarity, alongside our Aboriginal Brothers and Sisters and restore humanity, hope, opportunity, dignity and respect for the People who made up 100 percent of our population just 600 years ago.  Aboriginal peoples, with over 51 per cent under 25 years of age, are the fastest growing population within Canada and will be an important part of closing the expected gap in the labour force.