The Employment Equity Data Report, published every five years, provides information on the occupational and educational characteristics of the four designated groups (women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities and persons with disabilities) by specific geographical area. This information is derived from census and post-census data collected by Statistics Canada.
Basically, the numbers and percentages of designated group members in the workforce are shown by occupational and geographical area. This information enables employers subject to the Employment Equity Act to compare the data with their internal workforce and identify any gaps in the representation of the four designated groups. Employers can then work to develop realistic goals and timetables for achieving employment equity.