Discrimination by design? Race-based admissions in Canadian medical and law schools – MLI
February 25, 2026
Rather than sorting applicants by racial category, universities should focus on ensuring that all prospective students, regardless of race, have the academic preparation needed to compete fairly.
Executive Summary | Sommaire (le français suit)
Admissions to Canadian medical and law schools are moving steadily away from merit-based criteria toward identity-focused evaluations. While grades and test scores once served as the primary gatekeepers, many publicly funded institutions now use racial disclosure to influence admissions.
This shift has sparked national controversy over diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and “equity-based” decision-making. As these issues reach a flashpoint, key questions remain: is merit being displaced? Who benefits most – and who suffers – from DEI admissions policies?
