Embedding Anti-Discrimination Policies and Allyship in Mining and Engineering Workplaces: A Pathway to Decent Work

Despite the existence of human rights legislation in Canada, equitable access to these rights remains elusive in many workplaces—particularly in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as engineering and mining. This paper argues that the proactive application of human rights frameworks can drive meaningful workplace culture transformation by addressing both overt and systemic inequities. While Canadian human rights laws offer legal remedies for discrimination, underrepresented groups continue to face barriers, especially in non-unionized environments where support mechanisms are limited. This paper presents a novel analysis of Canadian workplaces through a human rights lens, emphasizing the need for policies that go beyond reactive measures. It advocates for increased public awareness, targeted allyship training, and leadership accountability to foster inclusive and equitable work environments. The findings have broad implications for advancing decent work across sectors and for building representative and inclusive workforces.