Photo: CCDI CEO Anne-Marie Pham
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion has urged Canadian employers, policymakers, and community leaders to consider diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility a long-term priority.
With DEIA discussions becoming increasingly polarized, the organization said that DEIA should be viewed as a shared responsibility. In a media release, it pointed out that DEIA was “not a political talking point” or “a short-term initiative”; rather, it was a “legal obligation, a business driver, and a foundation for healthy, inclusive communities.”
To this end, the CCDI released a public statement entitled “Inclusion in action: Why diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are key to Canada’s success.” The statement revealed that organizations that prioritized DEIA report high levels of employee engagement, innovation, and financial success. Moreover, teams with diverse perspectives made better decisions and were more adaptable than their peers; businesses with strong equity and inclusion cultures were also more agile, resilient, and competitive in the long run.
The organization noted that focusing on equity and inclusion cultivated communities “where belonging is the norm.” The CCDI statement outlined the following actionable points for employers, individual practitioners, Canadian certified inclusion professionals, business leaders, policymakers, and the public:
- Organizations should communicate their DEIA commitment
- DEIA goals should be set and progress reports made to facilitate accountability
- Employers should review hiring and workplace policies to remove barriers and generate equitable opportunities
- Organizations should focus on continuous learning and initiating proactive dialogue to cultivate inclusivity in the workplace
“Compliance with human rights legislation is the floor, not the ceiling,” CCDI CEO Anne-Marie Pham said in the media release. “True leadership means going further – embedding inclusion into how we live, work, and grow as a country. DEIA isn’t just an ideal to aim for—it’s a responsibility and one of the best investments we can make. The future of our workplaces and communities depends on our willingness to lead with purpose and take action now.”