Federal hiring rules now prioritize race and identity for key government positions

Researchers reviewed 301 federal job advertisements issued between February and July 2026 and discovered that 42% contained language indicating that candidates from certain equity-deserving groups would receive priority. The postings go beyond general diversity statements, directly stating that self-identified members of groups like Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and women may be favored.

Three agencies—Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the National Research Council—applied this criterion to every vacancy, and the Department of National Defence used it in 92% of its listings, including specific hiring goals for women, Indigenous peoples, and visible minorities. The Aristotle report argues that such practices risk undermining the perceived legitimacy of the federal hiring system. It notes that mandatory equity targets have been in place for about a decade, contrasting with earlier voluntary recruitment efforts dating back to the 1980s. Prior research by the Aristotle Foundation questions the premise that matching national demographics is necessary to avoid systemic discrimination.