The path forward to advancing economic equity for Black Canadians
Black people in Canada face distinctive challenges. Anti-Black racism has created barriers to education, employment, advancement and entrepreneurship. gettyimages
The first annual State of Black Economics Report (SOBER) shows that Canada’s growing and increasingly diverse Black population is advancing economically, but there is more to be done. Written by the Diversity Institute with partners and the Future Skills Centre (FSC), the report examines drivers of economic inclusion – education, employment, leadership and entrepreneurship – in order to set benchmarks in the second International Decade for People of African Descent.
“Evidence shows that Black people in Canada face distinctive challenges,” says Mohamed Elmi, executive director of the Diversity Institute. Analyzing data on their economic conditions provides valuable insights into how we can achieve progress. “While equity-deserving groups may face similar challenges to economic advancement, the experience of Black communities is unique. Anti-Black racism has caused lasting harm, including barriers to education, employment, advancement and entrepreneurship as well as creating trauma and distrust in institutions. It is a shared experience for Black people whether their Canadian roots go back for generations or they are recent immigrants.”
Canada’s Employment Equity Act has fuelled progress, albeit slowly, designating “visible minorities” or racialized people as one group. But because the experience of Black people is distinct, a 2023 Canadian task force recommended treating them as a separate designated group (along with the 2SLGBTQI+ community).
A growing and diverse
population
The Black population in Canada has grown from 570,000 in 1996 to 1,547,870 in 2021, accounting for
4.3 per cent of the population.
The Black community is incredibly diverse, including populations with deep historical roots, such as those in Atlantic Canada who have lived here for centuries, alongside more recent migrants from the Caribbean, Africa and other regions. With 60 per cent of Canada’s Black population born outside of the country, the challenges and strategies to address them are complex.
Education
Education in Canada is the single most important driver of social mobility, and encouragingly, educational attainment has increased among the Black population. Fuelled largely by immigration, the proportion of university-educated Black Canadians is now comparable to the rest of the population.
Yet, the education system still lacks role models – Black teachers, professors and staff – and more is needed to create a culturally responsive curriculum, educational models and teaching practices. Black students, particularly boys, experience disproportionate discipline, and Black students often face lower expectations and are dissuaded from university regardless of their grades.
Elmi reflects on his experiences as a high school student in Saint John, New Brunswick. During a parent-teacher meeting, his teacher recommended that he switch from his university level math to a lower-level math that would have blocked his opportunities. But his mother was adamant – university was his future – and refused to agree. He went on to earn a doctorate in information systems.
“One sign of progress is that provinces like Ontario have stopped streaming, and many schools are becoming more aware of how such arbitrary decisions limit opportunities. Research from FSC has also seen significant impacts of intentional programs targeting Black students and their parents to help them see the possibilities as well as the importance of providing supports,” says Elmi.
The SOBER report also highlights the importance of ensuring all Canadians understand how history has shaped the present.
“My education focused on Canadian exceptionalism,” says Wendy Cukier, founder and academic director of the Diversity Institute. “We learned about the Underground Railroad where Canadians were presented as the saviours of slaves. Only in recent years, I learned the real story of slavery and segregation in Canada and the contributions of Black leaders. We must confront the mistakes of the past to avoid repeating them.”
Employment
Although some progress has been achieved for Black Canadians, unemployment remains higher and wages lower. While the education gaps are narrowing, Black university graduates are almost twice as likely as other groups to be in jobs requiring only high school education. Across sectors, Black people face barriers to hiring and to promotion as well as day-to-day experiences of microaggressions. While they have made undeniable progress, Black Canadians continue to be under-
represented on corporate boards and in leadership positions, and even when they “make it” are held to higher standards.
“I think the glass is half full,” says Elmi. “We are seeing improvements in representation of Black people in leadership. Focusing a light on the problem has helped, and many companies have made progress. For example, signatories to the Black North Initiative have met their targets for representation on boards.”
Entrepreneurship
In a country where small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of the economy and a driver of wealth, attention to Black entrepreneurship is critical. While currently under-represented as both majority-owners of businesses and self-employed Canadians, Black entrepreneurs, of which 30 per cent are women, make significant contributions to the economy, to communities and to our culture. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the many challenges they face – as they tend to be smaller, in services sectors, are chronically under-financed and face barriers every step of the way. Targeted programs are producing results, and recent research has offered insights into the design and delivery of effective interventions.
Continuing the commitment
to action
Disaggregated data and rigorous evaluations are key to shaping policies and practices and to ensuring we know what works for whom. At a time when diversity and inclusion are experiencing a backlash in the United States and other countries, Elmi says he and his colleagues are confident that Canada will stay the course.
“Our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, our legislative frameworks, our courts and traditions inspire optimism,” he says. “We do have challenges, but I am proud to live in Canada because I believe we understand the value of inclusion and its contributions to society overall. The evidence is strong. As Canada becomes more diverse, organizations need appropriate strategies to ensure they can attract and retain the best and the brightest, serve new and emerging markets, tap into innovation, and drive prosperity and sustainability for us all.”
To view this report on The Globe's website, visit globeandmail.com
To view the full report as it appeared in The Globe's print edition Black History Month
For more information on the SOBER report, visit torontomu.ca/diversity/reports/state_of_black_economics_canada