Employment Equity

Are we all Equal? Questionnaire

Many believe that there is no systemic discrimination in Canada, that we enjoy equal opportunity and equal treatment when it comes to getting hired or promoted. After all, we’ve had a federal law prohibiting discrimination in employment since 1986. Test your knowledge of the employment equity scene by answering the following questions.

Check off the correct answer:

1. A university degree is often the key to a higher-paid job. Based on 1996 Census information, what percentage of Canada’s adults hold a university degree? (racially visible/non-racially visible)

a) racially visible : 23%, non-racially visible : 15%
b) racially visible : 15%, non-racially visible : 15%
c) racially visible: 12%, non-racially visible: 9%

2. What was the rate of unemployment of racially visible persons in 1996?

a) racially visible: 10%, non-racially visible : 13%
b) racially visible : 18%, non-racially visible : 8%
c) racially visible : 14%, non-racially visible : 10%

3. What was the rate of unemployment of Aboriginal Peoples in 1996?

a) 10%
b) 18%
c) 24%

4. In 1991, a researcher contacted employment agencies to determine if they would be prepared to refer only white applicants for a job. Of the 15 agencies contacted, how many said they would refer only white applicants?

a) 12
b) 8
c) 3

5. In 1990, what percentage of employed people with a disability earned less than $15,000 per year?

a) 55%
b) 43%
c) 37%

6. In 1990, what percentage of employed people without a disability earned less than $15,000?

a) 55%
b) 43%
c) 37%

7. Based on 1996 Census information, visible minorities constitute what percentage of the Canadian population?

a) 9.1%
b) 11.2%
c) 15%

8. Based on 1996 Census information, how much less than the average annual wage did visible minority workers earn?

a) 10%
b) 15%
c) 20%

9. Based on 1996 Census information, how much less than the average annual wage did Aboriginal workers earn?

a) 15%
b) 34%
c) 43%

10. In 1996, what percentage of single-parent families headed by a woman lived below the poverty line?

a) 52%
b) 61%
c) 69%

11. Many people think that persons with disabilities are unable to work. What percentage of women with a disability reported to the Disabled Women’s Network that they were unable to work?

a) 21%
b) 14%
c) 7%

12. Over the last 20 years, many full-time, full-year jobs have been replaced by part-time jobs, and many people find it takes more than one part-time job to pay the bills. Between 1977 and 1993, what was the percentage increase in the number of women who held more than one part-time job?

a) less than 150%
b) between 150% and 300%
c) more than 300%

13. During this same time period, what was the percentage increase in the number of men who held more than one part-time job?

a) less than 150%
b) between 150% and 300%
c) more than 300%

14. It is common knowledge that, on average, women earn less than men. In 1996, 5.5% of men, and 13.8% of women, earned less than $25,000 per year. What percentage of Aboriginal workers earned less than $25,000 per year?

Aboriginal Men:

a) 9.2%
b) 16%
c) 23%

Aboriginal Women:

a) 12.2%
b) 23%
c) 31%

15. Based on 1996 Census information, what percentage of the Aboriginal population living off reserves lives in poverty?

a) 22%
b) 33%
c) 44%

16a). 1998/99, what percentage of women hired into the federal public sector went into clerical positions?

a) 25%
b) 50%
c) 63%

16b). What about in 1999/2000?

a) 46%
b) 58%
c) 75%

17. In 1999/2000, what percentage of persons with disabilities hired into the federal public sector went into clerical positions?

a) 23%
b) 52%
c) 70%

18. In 1999/2000, what percentage of women hired into the federal public sector went into permanent positions?

a) 23%
b) 15%
c) 9%

19. In 1999/2000, what percentage of men hired into the federal public sector went into permanent positions?

a) 24%
b) 16%
c) 7%

20. Visible minorities are consistently under-represented in federal government workplaces. Of the 13,780 persons hired in the 1999/2000 fiscal year, what percentage were visible minority workers?

a) 4%
b) 6%
c) 9%

21. As at March 2000, 21% of Aboriginal people employed in the federal public service worked in:

a) mostly in small Departments
b) Human Resources Development Canada
c) the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Public Service Commission
d) Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

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Click here for the answer sheet