Defence Team launches new Anti‑racism Framework and Lens to strengthen inclusive decision‑making

March 20, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 2:40

Creating a respectful and inclusive workplace is a shared responsibility across the Defence Team. We all play a role in recognizing bias, addressing systemic barriers, and contributing to a culture grounded dignity and respect. To support these efforts, the Defence Team has released two new tools to help teams identify and address potential racial impacts in policies, programs, and everyday workplace practices. The Anti-racism Framework and the Anti-racism Lens offer a clear and practical approach to reducing unintentional harm and supporting fair outcomes for all members of the Defence Team.

Making the work tangible

The Framework explains why anti-racism matters within the Defence Team and what it looks like in practice. It provides direction, structure, and shared expectations to guide the application of anti-racism principles across policies, programs, and workplace practices. Its purpose is to organize concepts and clarify roles so teams can consistently contribute to building a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

The Lens serves as a practical companion tool. It provides questions and prompts that teams can use during planning, design, implementation, and evaluation to identify assumptions, recognize possible biases, and assess potential racial impacts. The Lens can be used alongside existing processes, including Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus), while adding a race-focused perspective.

Used together, the Framework and the Lens support more informed decisions. They help teams document their reasoning, explore different options, and reduce the risk of unintentional harm. In doing so, they promote more consistent and transparent practices that help reduce systemic barriers and strengthen inclusion across the Defence Team.

These tools also support efforts to prevent hateful conduct by helping teams identify risks, gaps, and barriers early, respond to harmful behaviours when they occur, and reinforce a workplace grounded in dignity, respect, and professional conduct.

The Framework and the Lens are not standalone solutions. They support broader Government of Canada commitments, including Changing Systems, Transforming Lives: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028 and the Clerk of the Privy Council's Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service.

Putting inclusion into practice

When every Defence Team member takes ownership of building a respectful and inclusive workplace, we strengthen trust, collaboration, and effectiveness. Complementary resources to support this work include the:

These resources help Defence Team members apply an anti-racism approach in practical, everyday ways. Applying them in day-to-day work leads to practices that support operational readiness, strengthen credibility, and reinforce trust within the Defence Team and with Canadians.

Try using the Framework and Lens in your next planning, design, or review activity. Small, consistent actions in daily work lead to stronger more equitable outcomes across the Defence Team. If you have feedback or questions about the Framework or the Lens, please contact the Director Anti-Racism Implementation team (accessible only on the National Defence network).