When pursuing EDGE Certification in Canada, it’s essential for organizations to understand the local DE&I landscape. With an overview of the indicators shaping DE&I in Canada, organizations can prepare effectively and harness EDGE (gender-binary) and EDGEplus (gender and intersectionality) Certifications to drive meaningful, lasting change.
Navigate this Article
- Labour Market Indicators
- DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
- Personal Data Protection in Canada
- Achieve Meaningful DE&I Impact with EDGE Certification
Labour Market Indicators
DE&I Focus Areas on a Country Level
| DE&I Focus Areas | Status in Canada |
| Paid Parental Leave | 15 weeks maternity leave paid at 55% Fathers can take shareable parental leave, but no specific paternity leave policy |
| Law on Pay Equity | Yes ✅ |
| Pay Gap Reporting Legal Requirement | Yes ✅ |
| Gender Quotas on Company Boards | No ❌ |
| Non-Binary Gender Identity Legal Recognition | Yes ✅ |
| Sexual Harassment Protection in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Disability Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| LGBTQ+ Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Race/Ethnicity Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Nationality Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Age Non-Discrimination in Employment | Yes ✅ |
| Same-Sex Marriage | Yes ✅ |
This data is sourced from EquiNations, our research that examines the DE&I legislative landscapes of the 20 countries with the highest number of EDGE Certified organizations.
Personal data protection in Canada
Canada has a federal privacy law enforced by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which regulates how businesses manage personal data. EDGE adheres to PIPEDA by securely processing only anonymized and aggregated data, ensuring compliance with Canadian federal privacy and data security standards.
Achieve Meaningful DE&I Impact with EDGE Certification
EDGE Certification is audited by independent third-party certification bodies, it supports the integrity and credibility of data and information, and gives organizations a powerful way to communicate DE&I commitment and performance. EDGE Certification, powered by EDGE Empower®, supports organizations build and maintain this focus and includes:
- An analytical framework to help organizations assess their current DE&I status and benchmark to define achievable goals.
- Two-year cycles to set time-bound objectives and track progress.
- Transparency and accountability through third-party verification.
- EDGEplus for a comprehensive view of DE&I that considers the intersectionality between gender and other diversity dimensions (race/ethnicity, gender identity, working with a disability, nationality, age, and LGBTQ+).
- A data-driven, proven approach informed by leadership insights and real-world practices, supporting a holistic DE&I strategy.
- Guidance on meeting DE&I compliance obligations, including the CSRD and EU Pay Transparency Directive.
To learn more about how EDGE can support your DE&I goals and meet regulatory requirements in Canada please contact us or begin your EDGE Certification® journey with EDGE Empower®.
Disclaimer: Please note that this does not constitute legal advice.
Updated January 2024
