Diversity
"Just as our new way of doing business is based on how our customers travel, the long-term success of Air Canada depends on increased attention to how we work together."
Calin Rovinescu
President and CEO, Air Canada

“I’m proud that I made my childhood dream come true. I’ve been fortunate to have a good job with Air Canada, despite being deaf. Meanwhile, I now have 10 years of experience.”
Jean-Daniel Grenier
aircraft mechanic
Diversity is a concept with many aspects, but, above all, it focuses on who we are as human beings.

Diversity has a guaranteed place at Air Canada, thanks to our human resource practices at all levels. To facilitate fair recognition of all talents, the Air Canada Diversity team is working with the recruiting team to ensure that we continue to be an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Over the years we’ve reviewed our hiring criteria to ensure that they are truly related to the job and thus encourage all potential candidates to apply for available positions. In addition, because we are on the lookout for new trends, we are building relationships with government agencies and educational institutions that will prepare and train our future employees.

 

“I’m proud to work at Air Canada. I feel that I’m part of the team since day one. Each one’s differences contribute to the company strength. Everyone has something to offer.”
Émilie Haché
Translation Account
Air Canada recognizes the importance of providing employees with the tools they need to develop their skills and facilitate their advancement. We strive to meet everyone’s needs by providing a variety of courses and workshops, including language instruction.

With regard to promotion, we focus particular attention on talent management, in order to ensure that every individual is fairly recognized. Air Canada takes everyone’s individual situation into account by providing a range of employee recognition programs, such as the Art of Excellence, Encore, Profit Sharing, Success Sharing and the employee assistance programs, as well as various work policies, benefits and other plans.

 

Myths and realities about employment equity

Test your knowledge

  1. Myth: Employment equity means that everyone must be treated the same way.
     
    Reality: Employment equity means that everyone must be treated fairly and everyone’s differences must be taken into account.
     
  2. Myth: Employment equity results in "reverse discrimination."
     
    Reality: Employment equity means that everyone is offered the same employment opportunities, not just a select group.
     
  3. Myth: Employment equity is a matter of quotas.
     
    Reality: The Employment Equity Act expressly prohibits quotas.
     
  4. Myth: Employment equity means that unqualified people must be recruited.
     
    Reality: Employment equity means that everyone who is qualified or who might become qualified is offered the same employment opportunities, not just a select group.
     
  5. Myth: Employment equity threatens the principle of seniority.
     
    Reality: Employment equity and the principle of seniority are both aimed at guaranteeing equal employment opportunities, with no favouritism or discrimination.
     
  6. Myth: Employment equity is equivalent to lowering employment standards.
     
    Reality: The principles of employment equity require that employment standards are reviewed, to ensure that the criteria are realistic and related to the job.
     
  7. Myth: It is too difficult and too costly to adapt the workplace to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
     
    Reality: It generally costs less than $500 to modify a workstation to meet the needs of a person with disabilities.
     
  8. Myth: Employment equity is only achievable in a prosperous economy.
     
    Reality: Employment equity is the rule for both good and bad economic times.
     
Source: http://www.rhdsc.gc.ca/fr/pt/ot/ntemt/emt/publications/mr/mythes_realites.shtml#mythe1