Employment equity means that fair and equal access to employment opportunities is available to which of the following groups?

Employment equity is a remedial concept focused on removing systemic barriers and correcting disadvantage in employment. Under Canada’s Employment Equity Act, its purpose is to ensure people are not denied employment opportunities for reasons unrelated to ability and to correct disadvantage experienced by designated groups. Therefore, the best answer is underrepresented members of society, not merely all employees or all people generally.

A. Too broad; this describes general equality, not employment equity’s targeted remedial purpose.

B. Too narrow; employment equity includes access to employment, not only current employees.

D. Too narrow; it excludes underrepresented applicants and society members seeking employment.

- Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, s. 2 — purpose of employment equity.

- Employment Equity Act, S.C. 1995, c. 44, s. 3 — “designated groups” definition.

- Canadian Human Rights Commission, “Employment Equity” guidance, sections “What is employment equity?” and “Designated groups.”