Diversity and inclusion in Canada

Canada is one of the world’s most progressive countries and is home to a diverse populace made up of people from all over the globe. That said, there is still room for more progress in certain areas. Read on to learn more about inclusion and diversity in Canada.

Accessibility in Canada

The Canadian government prioritises accessibility – in 2019, the country adopted the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), which aims to make Canada a barrier-free environment by 2040. The ACA has established a framework for identifying and removing barriers across various sectors, including transport, employment, and the built environment.

Since its adoption, there have been significant strides towards creating a more accessible society. For instance, the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations, introduced between 2020 and 2022, set legally binding requirements for air, rail, marine, and bus services to ensure more accessible travel options.

Accessibility standards in Canada vary from city to city. For example, Vancouver places a strong emphasis on public transport accessibility and inclusive public spaces, while Toronto focuses heavily on improving its transit systems. Montreal is actively upgrading public transport and cultural venues, although some challenges remain due to older infrastructure.

Getting Around in Vancouver
Getting Around in Toronto
Getting Around in Montreal

Further reading

Canadian Transport Agency Accessible Transportation Guides 
Parks Canada Accessibility Guide 
Wheelchair Travel in Canada

LGBTQ+ in Canada

Canada is one of the world’s most progressive nations when it comes to protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. In 2006, Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples are allowed to adopt, and conversion therapy is banned.

There are no surgical requirements for changing your legal gender, and there are provisions for non-binary or intersex individuals, who can choose ‘X’ as their legal gender rather than ‘F’ or ‘M’. Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is prohibited. The country also recognises LGBTQ+ discrimination as grounds for seeking refugee status in Canada.

Despite strong legal protections, the rise of right-wing conservatism has led to challenges for the LGBTQ+ community, including increased rhetoric against LGBTQ+ rights and heightened discrimination, particularly in rural areas and in regions where conservative values are more prevalent.

To counter these negative sentiments, the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan was launched in 2022. This plan focuses on advancing rights and improving outcomes for LGBTQ+ Canadians through community engagement and targeted actions. Not only that, amendments to existing human rights legislation have strengthened protections based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

Further reading

Egale 
Rainbow Railroad 
Rainbow Resource Centre

Gender equality in Canada

Gender equality in Canada is upheld by several robust laws, including the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Employment Equity Act, and the Pay Equity Act. The government is actively working to address gender disparities, particularly in wages and representation.

The Pay Equity Act ensures equal pay for work of equal value in federally regulated sectors. This requires employers to assess and correct pay disparities, ensuring gender does not dictate how much you earn. More wage transparency initiatives mean larger employers must report their pay data, helping to uncover and address inequalities.

Gender inequality, however, is still a reality in some industries. Sectors like natural resources, construction, and finance are particularly male-dominated, with significant pay gaps persisting. Regions such as Alberta also show wider disparities, whereas provinces like Quebec fare better in terms of gender parity. Progress is being made, but the journey is far from over.

Further reading

Women and Gender Equality in Canada

Women in leadership in Canada

Although there are a fair number of women in leadership positions in Canada, there are still noticeably more men in such positions. Roughly a third of management positions are held by women, occupying just over 30 percent of senior-management-level roles. Board membership remains predominantly male, with 18 percent of board members being female.

Several initiatives are in place to increase female representation in leadership roles. For instance, the Canadian Women in Local Leadership (CanWILL) programme, which ended in 2024, supported women’s participation in municipal governance. The Women’s Leadership Initiative helps women in sectors like real estate through networking and mentorship opportunities.

Further reading

Canadian Women’s Foundation
Women’s Leadership Initiative

Mental health awareness in Canada

Mental illness in Canada is a serious problem, with one in three Canadians being affected by mental illness in their lifetime. Although the country’s universal healthcare system covers various forms of treatment for mental illness, waitlists can be extremely long, ranging from weeks to years in extreme cases.

As an expat, you may face a higher risk of mental illness compared to local populations, with a higher risk of depression and substance abuse. This is largely due to the stress, loneliness, and isolation that often come with major life changes like moving to a foreign country.

On average, Canadians can expect to wait nearly six months from a general practitioner referral to treatment by a psychiatrist. Wait times can vary significantly by province; residents in British Columbia or Newfoundland and Labrador may wait over a year for specialised care, while those in Prince Edward Island may have wait times of less than four weeks.

It’s important to have adequate insurance that allows you to seek immediate treatment in private healthcare rather than waiting for public system services. Employers are becoming more aware of the importance of good mental health, and company-supplied health insurance often includes provisions for mental healthcare.

Read more: Healthcare and Health Insurance in Canada

Further reading

Canadian Mental Health Association 
Government of Canada – Mental Health and Wellness 
Wellness Together

Unconscious bias education in Canada

Unconscious bias is an implicit set of stereotyped ideas that you may carry about groups of people different from yourself. These ideas are not usually purposefully adopted but rather develop subtly over time, often about groups you rarely come into contact with. As a result, these perceptions are often inaccurate and based on assumptions.

Unconscious bias can profoundly affect both personal and work conditions. In the workplace, unchecked bias undermines vital aspects of the company, negatively impacting employee performance, retention, and recruitment.

Many Canadian companies have introduced unconscious bias training as part of their diversity and inclusion programmes. Large corporations and public sector organisations are increasingly integrating such training to foster a more inclusive work culture.

Further reading

Harvard Project Implicit 
NonprofitReady Free Unconscious Bias Training

Diversification of the workforce in Canada

More than a quarter of Canada’s workforce comprises immigrants, most of whom hail from Asia and Europe. Immigrants have always played a fundamental role in Canada’s industrial growth, contributing to innovation and economic development across various sectors, and the portion of immigrants working in the country is continually increasing.

It’s estimated that by 2031, a third of Canada’s workers will be immigrants. In certain cities – namely Toronto and Vancouver – half of the core-aged working population is already made up of immigrants.

Studies show that workplace diversification hugely benefits companies and employees. In recognition of this, many of the largest companies in the country are setting up diversity and inclusion programmes, ensuring that a wide variety of people are represented among employees.

Working in Canada
Doing Business in Canada

Safety in Canada

Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world, and you will have little cause for concern regarding your day-to-day safety. The country has a low crime rate and a trusted police force with fast response times.

That said, certain regions do face higher safety concerns. Northern Territories like the Northwest Territories and Nunavut report higher rates of violent crime due to social issues such as poverty and substance abuse. Some urban areas, including specific neighbourhoods in Toronto and Vancouver, experience gang-related violence and property crime. Additionally, many Indigenous communities face unique safety challenges, with limited access to law enforcement resources and higher rates of violence linked to socioeconomic factors.

If you’re moving to Canada, there are a few steps you can take to enhance your personal safety. Research neighbourhoods thoroughly before settling down, especially in major urban centres. Connecting with local expat groups or community organisations can provide valuable insights into safe practices and neighbourhood dynamics.

Calendar initiatives in Canada

• 4 February – World Cancer Day
• March – TB Awareness Month
• 8 March – International Women’s Day
• May – Mental Health Awareness Week
• 19 May – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
• June – Pride Month
• 10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day
• October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• 10 October – World Mental Health Day
• 14 November – World Diabetes Day
• 1 December – World AIDS Day
• 30 September – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation