International economic Forum of the Black : to finish with the discrimination

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Among the participants at the international economic Forum of the Blacks, 70 % are entrepreneurs or professionals in different areas, such as communications and finance.

Cassandra Forcier-Martin

Saturday, February 3, 2018 20:11

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Saturday, February 3, 2018 20:11

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MONTREAL | Montreal prides itself on being a multicultural city, Kerlande Mibel reveals that black communities are facing, even in 2018, with many obstacles on the labour market, in spite of a shortage of labour.

“Speak of discrimination in employment, it is open to never having a promotion. We need a place of safety where we can name our issues, identify the challenges faced by really and find solutions”, explained Mrs. Mibel, president and founder, international economic Forum of the Black.

They are just a hundred to have participated in the first day of the event organized in Montreal.

“When there is a difference, it is certain that the reflex original is not to go to this difference,” stressed Edgar Jean-François, an accountant and participant.

“What we would like, it is that you don’t see the difference. When you take someone or that we commit to an employee, whether it is really for his skills and not his color,” said Olivier Milton-Cholette, entrepreneur in video production.

Among the participants, 70 % are entrepreneurs or professionals in different areas, such as communications and finance. During the round tables, they discussed various issues affecting visible minorities. Among the topics discussed, which all have an impact on the economic well-being, there are particular education, entrepreneurship, access to properties, and single-parent families.

Of the measures expected

The rate of unemployment in black communities is around 12 %, while the general average is 5 %.

The minister of the Economy Dominique Anglade, and the mayor of Montreal’s Valerie Plante wish to play an active role in the fight against inequality of opportunity.

“In the coming weeks, we will announce measures are very concrete and very specific to the diversity and different communities, as in all regions that we visit, we talk about shortage of manpower,” said Ms. Anglade.

“The economic strategy we are in the process of finalize, it was expected for a long time. He was not there for the last four years. Therefore, elements such as today we will be able to integrate them,” announced the mayor.

The international economic Forum of the Blacks continues through Sunday at the Montreal Science Centre.