Nature Canada is deeply committed to promoting racial justice and equity, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC), recognizing that racial justice is integral to the health of our natural environment. Systemic barriers, including underrepresentation in conservation organizations, prevent racialized people from accessing career opportunities in the nature sector. In 2020, we partnered with researchers Dr. Jacqueline L. Scott and Ambika Tenneti to explore the intersection of race and the outdoors, which led to the report Race and Nature in the City: Engaging Youth of Colour in Nature-based Activities. This report identified the lack of equitable access to nature for racialized communities and called for greater representation within conservation organizations.

Building on these findings, Nature Canada launched the Work to Grow program in 2021, creating over 300 employment opportunities for BIPOC youth between 2021 and 2022. While the first year of the program was a success, it also revealed challenges, including a discrimination claim filed against one of our Nature Network partners. Though the case is still unresolved, it highlighted the legal complexities surrounding employment equity and the need for better support for environmental, non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) navigating hiring practices aimed at increasing staff diversity.

This experience, combined with our commitment to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the sector, prompted the creation of the Employment Equity in Hiring Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to address common fears and misconceptions about employment equity, particularly the perceived legal complexities and liabilities that may be overwhelming to ENGO leaders.

We understand that with an already packed to-do list, implementing employment equity can feel like an added challenge. However, Canadian legal frameworks support diversity initiatives, particularly for racialized and Indigenous groups. This toolkit provides a clear, legally-informed framework to help ENGOs navigate equitable hiring, covering legal requirements, the role of data, and the differences between federal and provincial laws. It reassures readers that employment equity is neither as complicated nor risky as it may seem, with ample support available from resources like provincial Human Rights Commissions. Ultimately, the toolkit empowers ENGOs to take meaningful steps toward increasing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring effective representation of racialized and Indigenous communities in the environmental sector.

DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT

Contributors: We are grateful to Andrew Cleland (Delangie Cleland Limoges) for providing a wealth of legal research and resources, Anna-Liza Badaloo (Anemochory Consulting) for providing knowledge translation services, and Sonia Theroux for providing project management, research, and consulting services.

Disclaimer: The content of this toolkit does not constitute legal advice. This toolkit provides legal information, general guidance and important considerations for ENGOs operating across Canada who wish to implement employment equity initiatives. Employment equity laws (and how they are applied) differ between provinces. Please consult a lawyer familiar with the rules in your jurisdiction for specific support.