Lack of equity in hiring among disparities uncovered

The advocacy call is contained in the report of a “Black Labour Market Needs Assessment’’, which was conducted by Toronto-based Dunn Pierre Barnett and Company Canada Ltd.

The report also reveals that the number one reason Black businesses fail in Canada is because most white and non-Black business owners do not have Black suppliers or conduct business with Black-owned companies.

Dunn Pierre Barnett is a Black research, human resource development, consulting and training firm, which has conducted more than 60 projects in 40 countries within the last 10 years.

In April 2022, Dunn Pierre Barnett was contracted by the Afro-Canadian Business Network (ACBN) to conduct Canada’s first-ever “Rapid Black Labour Market Needs Assessment’’. The company’s report was presented for discussion at ACBN’s monthly meeting in September last year. It’s now available to the public.

“This Rapid Assessment survey has shone a light on many of the business and workplace challenges faced by the Black community in Ontario, particularly in the areas of employment, entrepreneurship, and access to resources. Through data analysis and consultation, this first-of-its-kind report identifies key challenges and opportunities for Black businesses and workers in Ontario,’’ said Dr. C. Justine Pierre, Director of Dunn, Pierre, Barnett & Company Canada Ltd.

“The findings of the report highlight significant disparities between Black workers and their non-Black counterparts in Ontario,’’ he explained. “For example, while Black Ontarians in the workforce have nearly identical levels of education, Black workers are disproportionately represented in low-paying jobs, underrepresented in management positions, and make 50% less than their white male counterparts in certain fields, even when holding advanced degrees. Additionally, the report noted that Black women face a double disadvantage, that of facing both racial and gender discrimination in the workplace.’’

The Dunn, Pierre, Barnett report examined the failure of Black Canadian businesses, and also makes recommendations.

“The fact is that Black businesses are rejected at eight times the rate of regular businesses and most importantly, non-Black business owners — about 70% of the population — do not conduct business with the Black business community. So, Black-owned businesses are predominantly shut out of many of the country’s important financial, economic and industrial activities in Canada,’’ Dr. Pierre said.

The report identifies, among other things, the need for training of Black entrepreneurs in the areas of customer service, business management, and adherence to acceptable business standards.

Recommendations of the report include the need for increased Government monitoring and reporting of Black employment figures, and for “advocacy groups forming coalitions to lobby for equity in hiring and promotion practices’’.

Dr. Pierre, underscoring the urgent importance of conducting a National Black Labour Market Needs Assessment, noted that “the United Nations and the International Labour Organization have long held the view that conducting a Labour Market Needs Assessment or LMNA is essential in all countries, as it lays the foundation for skills training, youth engagement, economic, social and community development”.

Since its inception in 1944, the World Bank has funded Labour Market Assessment surveys in over 137 countries worldwide in support of the socio-economic development of their citizens.

“In over 40 years, Black leaders, policy makers, universities, non-profit organizations, and community leaders in Canada have not been aware of the significance of conducting such an important study on the Black population,’’ Dr. Pierre said. “Without a Black LMNA or a dedicated Black Census, we cannot scientifically make predictions about our future, with regard to our workforce, education and opportunities for Black people in Canada. If nothing is done, there will be little or no change, and we will most likely be in the same situation ten years from now.’’

According to Dr. Pierre, countries such as India, Jamaica, Japan, Ghana, and the European countries, routinely conduct Labour Market Assessments on their population. National organizations such as the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), the Black Caucus, the Federation of Black Canadians, the Foundation for Black Communities, and the Federal and Provincial governments are now being called upon to promote and implement a Black Labour Market Needs Assessment at the national level.

The full report of the “Black Labour Market Needs Assessment’’ is now available to the public from Dunn Pierre Barnett’s website at https://www.dpbglobal.com/shop/

Reference

https://acbncanada.com/first-ever-labour-market-needs-assessment-for-black-businesses-in-canada-has-been-launched/

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Justine Pierre

Care of Dunn Pierre Barnett and Company Canada Ltd

First Canadian Place

100 King Street West Suite 5700,

Toronto, Ontario M5X 1C7 CANADA

416–915–4277

647–966–4783

Fax: 416–915–4260

info@dpbglobal.com