Recent policy shifts in the United States concerning diversity, gender equity, and inclusion (DEI) may have implications for Canada in 2025. The U.S. administration has enacted executive orders to eliminate DEI programs within federal agencies and the military. Reuters (2025) reports that “Trump signs order to eliminate DEI in military, reinstate members removed by vaccine mandate” (para. 1). Additionally, Trump has stated that “The U.S. government will only recognize two genders—male and female” (New York Post, 2025, para. 1).
These actions could influence Canadian organizations, especially those with cross-border operations, to reassess their DEI initiatives. Corporate America has also seen a reduction in DEI efforts. Work180 (2024) notes that “Many companies, including Meta and McDonald’s, are scaling back their DEI strategies” (para. 4).
In contrast, Canada continues to emphasize the importance of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Universities Canada (2024) states that “Canadian universities are collaborating with governments and community organizations to make significant progress in these areas” (para. 2). However, the rollback of DEI initiatives in the U.S. could have an impact on Canada, particularly in shaping public discourse and corporate policies.
What Happens if Canada Elects a Conservative Federal Government in 2025?
If Canada elects a Conservative federal government in 2025, several potential threats and challenges may arise, particularly in the context of diversity, gender equity, and inclusion (DEI).
- Policy Reversals on DEI Initiatives: A Conservative federal government might reassess or roll back existing DEI programs, potentially leading to reduced support for marginalized communities.
- Alignment with U.S. Policies: Given recent U.S. actions to eliminate DEI programs within federal agencies and the military, a Conservative Canadian government could adopt similar stances, influencing public institutions and corporate policies.
- Provincial-Federal Tensions: Conservative-led provinces may find greater alignment with a Conservative federal government, potentially leading to policy shifts that could affect national DEI standards.
With so many Conservative leaders throughout Canada, should we be worried about constitutional amendments and Conservative influence?
The short answer is yes—but it’s not quite that simple.
To enact fundamental changes to Canada’s Constitution, the “7/50” amending formula applies. This requires the approval of at least seven out of ten provinces, representing at least 50% of the national population. canada.ca
Six Conservative provincial governments and a Conservative federal government are not enough to unilaterally amend the Canadian Constitution. Still, if one more province elects a Conservative government, they would reach the seven-province threshold. If these provinces collectively represent at least half of Canada’s population, they could theoretically start significant constitutional amendments. This scenario underscores the critical importance of provincial elections and their potential impact on national governance.
What are the rules? What’s the process?
Canada’s constitutional amendment process follows different rules depending on the type of amendment being proposed:
- The “7/50” Rule (General Formula)
The most common amendment process requires approval from at least seven provinces representing at least 50% of Canada’s population (Constitution Act, 1982, s. 38). Six provinces have Conservative governments: Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. Even if a Conservative federal government were in power, it would still need at least one more province to join the Conservatives to meet the “7/50” threshold.
- Unanimous Consent Rule
Some changes, such as those affecting the Office of the Governor General, the Supreme Court, or the amending formula itself, require unanimous consent from all ten provinces and the federal government (Constitution Act, 1982, s. 41).
- Other Amendment Processes
Some amendments only require approval from Parliament and the affected province(s) (s. 43).
So what is the urgency?
Constitutional amendments would require negotiation as they are politically complex, and public push-back and legal challenges may arise. If one more province flips Conservative, the risk of constitutional changes increases. The Conservative movement would then have enough provincial backing to push for constitutional changes. Potential targets for amendment could include changes to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, federal-provincial power distribution, or social policies (e.g., altering DEI protections).
Ok, so now you know the rules.. but how exactly could DEI policies be dismantled if constitutional protections are weakened?
DEI policies in Canada are deeply rooted in constitutional protections. These protections are particularly found within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This Charter provides broad protections against discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, and colour. It also protects against discrimination based on religion, sex, age, and mental or physical disability. Weakening constitutional protections could lead to the dismantling of DEI policies by making them legally vulnerable, eroding established frameworks, and exposing them to external political influences. lmsportals.com
If these constitutional protections were weakened, the impact on DEI policies could be significant:
- Legal Vulnerability of DEI Policies: The Employment Equity Act (EEA), which aims to achieve workplace equality for designated groups, is underpinned by constitutional guarantees. Weakening these guarantees could lead to challenges against the EEA, potentially resulting in its amendment or repeal. canada.ca
- Erosion of DEI Frameworks: The Canadian government has emphasized that equity is enshrined in law, reflecting a commitment to building inclusive spaces. Diminishing constitutional protections could erode this framework, making it more challenging to address systemic discrimination. canada.ca
- Influence of External Political Shifts: Changes in DEI policies in other countries, such as the U.S., can have ripple effects in Canada. For instance, the removal or scaling back of DEI programs in the U.S. could influence Canadian organizations, especially those with cross-border operations, to reassess their DEI initiatives. jobs.hirediverse.ca
EXTERNAL REFERENCES:
New York Post. (2025, January 28). President Trump says the US government will only recognize two genders—’male and female’. https://nypost.com/video/president-trump-says-the-us-government-will-only-recognize-two-genders-male-and-female/
Reuters. (2025, January 28). Trump signs order to eliminate DEI in military, reinstate members removed by vaccine mandate. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-signs-order-eliminate-dei-military-reinstate-members-removed-by-vaccine-2025-01-28/
Universities Canada. (2024). Building a caring, inclusive society. https://univcan.ca/priority/building-a-caring-inclusive-society/
Work180. (2024, November 10). DEI in 2025: The real story. https://work180.com/en-us/blog/dei-in-2025-the-real-story
Government of Canada. (n.d.). About Canada. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/intergovernmental-affairs/services/about-canada.html
Canada. (n.d.). Legislation and Regulations. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/appointment-framework/employment-equity-diversity/legislation-regulations.html
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Executive summary: A Transformative Framework to Achieve and Sustain Employment Equity. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/labour/programs/employment-equity/reports/act-review-task-force-summary.html
LMS Portals. (n.d.). The Canadian Approach to DEI: How It’s Different from the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.lmsportals.com/post/the-canadian-approach-to-dei-how-it-s-different-from-the-u-s
HireDiverse. (n.d.). Impact of US DEI Program Removal on Canadian Employers. Retrieved from https://jobs.hirediverse.ca/blog/how-the-us-removal-of-dei-programs-could-affect-canada || https://jobs.hirediverse.ca/about
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