Most Black Canadians report workplace equity progress, still face racism

A new report highlights the experiences of Black Canadians in the workplace. Most respondents feel that their employers have made positive changes towards creating equitable environments. According to the report from KPMG, 86 percent of Black Canadians believe their workplace has become more inclusive over the past five years. Despite this progress, many still face challenges. The report indicates that 77 percent of respondents experienced some form of racism or discrimination at work in the last year. This includes microaggressions, which are subtle but harmful comments or actions. Rob Davis, KPMG's chief inclusion, diversity, and equity officer, emphasized the importance of building trust. He stated that companies need to take ongoing actions to remove barriers. Creating a truly inclusive environment benefits everyone, he said. The report also mentions that 78 percent of respondents believe online hate from social media affects the workplace. A significant 90 percent of those surveyed feel it is crucial for business leaders to actively oppose racism. This report is based on a survey conducted with 1,000 Black Canadians between December 17, 2024, and January 6, 2025. The Canadian Research Insights Council notes that online surveys do not have a margin of error since they do not use random sampling.