Affirmative

Action
By: Mehgan Fahmy
 The Basics
Article:
Affirmative action: helping hand or harmful measure?
Source: Doubles as a link!

The Queen's Journal

Date:
January 12, 2016

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 What is
affirmative
action?

Affirmative action is a policy in which an

individual's color, race, sex, religion or
national origin are taken into account to
increase opportunities provided to an
underrepresented part of society.3
Who is involved in this article?
This article involves two authors offering different perspectives. There
are multiple examples used explained in the diagram below.

Vijay Chokal-Ingam
A Maclean’s article
applied to a medical
suggests that schools are
school with his original
becoming attached to a
and an altered
Two examples from culture. Queens and
application to make it
different sides. Mcgill are “where all
look like he was African
the white kids go” and
American. He only got
UofT is where all the
accepted as an African
Asians go.
American.

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Where is this happening?
Affirmative action in Canada and the world is a
widespread cause. It occurs in environments such as:
◎ Workplaces
◎ Post-secondary Schools
◎ Housing
◎ And many more!

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Why does affirmative action exist?
General Explanation
An attempt to tear down the
status quo of white-male
dominance and accepting the
historic and continuous
disadvantage of minorities in
Canada.
Legal Reasoning
There is an obvious imbalance in
the workforce, and this is why the
federal government has
implemented the employment
equity act. It requires employers
to partake in particular hiring
practices to increase
representation of four groups:
women, people with disabilities,
Aboriginal people and visible
minorities.
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 “
Canada’s official languages
program is arguably the most
successful affirmative action
program in history.
Bruce Hicks
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For
Canada values equity. Rather than
treat everyone equally, equity
creates a more even playing field.
It addresses barriers and historic
exclusion of minority groups. It
decreases overt racism and racist
micro-aggressions in all
environments.
Against
This approach is like fighting fire
with fire. The standard for any
sort of application should be
consistent and everyone should
be treated as equals. In section 15
of the Canadian Charter of Rights
and Freedoms, it states that
everyone should be treated
equally and not discriminated
against. Denying people
opportunities because of what
categories they check is immoral.
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Big Question
Is affirmative action discriminatory against
certain groups?

Does affirmative action invalidate successes

because of their background?

If affirmative action is ineffective, are there any

better ways to implement equity?

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 Take a Stand Statement
I believe that affirmative action is a lawfully correct and
necessary way for equity to be implemented throughout
Canada and society as a whole. Moreover, it is very well
worth implementing in all environments to create a better
and safer place for all.