In 2022, the NLFC signed the pledge as a Challenge Participant for the 50-30 Challenge. The NLFC is collaborating with the Women’s Economic Council’s (WEC) in an advisory role to further Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the co-operative sector in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The co-operative identity is rooted in principles of democracy, equality, and solidarity, which naturally aligns with DEI efforts. At its core, the co-operative model advocates that every member has an equal voice and vote, regardless of their background or status. By embracing the co-operative principles and values, co-ops promote more inclusive and equitable communities.
The 50-30 Challenge
The 50-30 Challenge is an initiative between the Government of Canada, Canadian businesses and organizations to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups in the workplace. This includes a voluntary pledge to achieve gender parity (50%) and significant representation (30%) of other equity-deserving groups on boards and in senior management positions.
The NLFC believes that co-operatives are leaders in our province and care for the community. Together, we will create new opportunities for co-operatives to connect with those who do not know about co-op opportunities. As well, we will provide opportunities for co-operatives to learn what other organizations are doing in Newfoundland & Labrador, and across Canada, to be more inclusive of all community members!
Past Promotion & Events
Series of DEI Learning Sessions
In collaboration with WEC, the NLFC hosted a series of learning sessions from March to May, 2024.
We partnered with five community organizations to deliver these learning sessions: Laurabel Mba Consulting, EmpowerNL, St. John’s Status of Women Council, the Association for New Canadians, and DiversityNL.
International Women’s Day Co-op Series (March 2024)
In honour of International Women’s Day (March 8th), we posted three inspiring, historic stories about women in co-operatives in NL. If you haven’t seen them already, check it out!
Black History Month: Call for Stories from the Co-operative Sector
The NLFC collaborated with Laurabel Mba to highlight Black Canadians in the co-operative sector during Black History Month.
Co-op Week Presentation – Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Learning Session
This presentation was held during Co-op Week in October 2023. Click on the image to download the deck slide!
Lunch & Learn Presentation: A Co-operative & Transformational Approach to DEI Leadership
Presented in collaboration with the Women’s Economic Council and Collective Interchange. Click on the image to download the deck slide!
DEI Resources
DEI in the Workplace
The WWTK is an online toolkit, designed for Canadian organizations looking to adopt equity and diversity initiatives. It includes tangible actions organizations and individuals can take, resources designed to set out policies, as well as anti-racism, anti-harassment, and inclusive workplace strategies, and other related relevant activities and initiatives.
Diversity NL is a local organization that offers DEI services, including DEI strategy, training, panel discussions, and training for senior leadership.
Aspiring Workforce Toolkit 2019
The Mental Health Commission of Canada created this extensive resource for organizations seeking to create an inclusive workplace and prioritize mental health. The toolkit contains an organizational self-assessment, strategies and tools, and case studies.
Pay Equity Solution for Small Business Do-It-Yourself Toolkit
The Ontario Pay Equity Office has a toolkit designed for businesses to implement pay equity. The toolkit includes a pdf copy, a series of videos, infographics, and FAQs. While the toolkit was made to comply with Ontario legislation, the general concepts and knowledge are applicable to all small businesses.
This self-identification form is used by the Canada Research Chairs Program. Organizations can use this form as a template while conducting their own research.
A checklist for events, conferences, and large meetings to ensure that the space is accessible for all. This resource is published by the Equity and Diversity Committee of Post-Graduate Students Society at McGill University in 2016.
Guide to Making Your Business Accessible for People with Disabilities
The Conference Board of Canada’s guide aids small businesses in making their business more accessible for people with disabilities, with checklists and guidelines. While this guide was created with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, it is still relevant for the rest of Canada.
Gender-Responsive Procurement Practices
This report is based on Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and discusses strategies for companies to procure their goods and services from other businesses that support women and other equity-deserving groups. There is a link near the bottom of the page to download a copy of the report in either English or French.
Women In Resource Development Corporation (WRDC)
The Women in Resource Development Corporation (WRDC) is a non-profit organization in Newfoundland and Labrador committed to increasing women’s participation in trades and technology sectors. WRDC offers gender and DEI services, such as consultation and assessment, training, research and evaluation.
CCDI Diversity & Inclusion Toolkits for the Workplace
A series of toolkits for DEI created by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. Topics include employee resource groups; making the case for DEI; responding to social issues; sustaining the Black Lives Matter movement in the workplace; navigating race in Canadian workplaces; and DEI councils and committees.
Advancing Gender Equality for SMEs in Canada
Published by the UN Global Compact Network Canada, this executive summary highlights the steps that small and medium-sized enterprises can do to advance gender equality in their workplaces.
Recruitment & Retention
Assessing Resumes of New Canadians
This resource provides samples of resumes from New Canadians, and tips on how to fairly and equitably assess them. The Immigrant Employment Council of BC has more relevant resources on their website.
Employer Roadmap for Internationally Trained Workers
Published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, this is a guide for employers in Canada to recruit, hire, and onboard internationally trained workers.
These resources are created with DEI practices and aim to guide organizations to implement more inclusive recruitment practices.
- Template for Creating a Job Role
- Checklist for Posting Jobs
- Sample Assessment Rubric for Candidates
- Sample of a Hiring Checklist
The Child Care Human Resources Sector Council has compiled a series of questions to ask employees when leaving your organization. An exit interview can help organizations determine areas to improve, confirm the job responsibilities, and receive feedback regarding organizational culture, compensation, job satisfaction, etc.
Resources Specific to Co-ops
These reports are created by CMC in partnership with the Ready Investment Program; the Northern Ontario Research, Development, Ideas, and Knowledge; and Community Researchers. Each report focuses on a different equity-deserving group, with data gathered via surveys and research.
- Womens Co-operatives Report v9 (canada.coop)
- LGBTQIA2+ Co-operatives Report v8 (canada.coop)
- Ethnocultural Co-operatives Report v8 (canada.coop)
- Indigenous Co-operatives Report v7 (canada.coop)
- Co-operatives Serving Persons with Disabilities Report v7 (canada.coop)
Accountability Practices – Co-op DEI Tool
This resource is a guide on how to implement accountability practices within co-operatives.
Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy Template
This tool is created specifically for co-operatives, and it is a guide on how to create anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.
Simplified Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (GDEIB) Tool
This tool was adapted from the Center for Global Inclusion’s GDEIB framework to help address and promote DEI in organizations. This simplified version was made in collaboration between the BCCA, the ACCA, and the WEC.
Inclusive Communications Guide
This resource is meant to highlight inclusive and equitable communications practices. The tip sheets and guide linked within this document are also available below. This resource was developed by the BCCA and the WEC.
- Inclusive Language Guide – Gender Identity, Expression, and Sexual Orientation
- Inclusive Language Guide – Indigenous Peoples
Sponsorship & Mentorship Guide for Co-ops
Developed with co-operatives in mind, this guide is how to create mentorship and sponsorship programs to leverage DEI. This document was made in collaboration between the BCCA, the ACCA, and the WEC.
Canadian Co-op Congress looks at inclusivity in co-ops – Co-operative News (thenews.coop)
An article summarizing the discussions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion during the 2023 Canadian Co-op Congress.
River City Bridges | Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative
This video highlights the Multicultural Health Brokers Co-operative and celebrates the organization’s 25th anniversary. This co-operative started as a small group of women, but now has over 100 members that serve as cultural brokers for over 23 language or cultural groups and communities within Edmonton.
A video series highlighting DEI in co-operatives. Vancity, City in Colour, and Multicultural Health Brokers are all featured. Produced by the BCCA, the ACCA, and the WEC.
Equity & Inclusion in Co-ops
General DEI Resources
Racial Equity Tools Digital Library
Racial Equity Tools (RET) has a digital library with 4,500+ racial equity resources, research, tips, curricula, and tools. These resources can be translated to your preferred language.
Anti-Racist Organizational Change: Resources & Tools for Nonprofits
A resource booklet created by the CommunityWise Resource Centre shares its story of anti-racist organizational change. The resource booklet contains resources and guidance on how other non-profits can adopt an anti-racism approach to further DEI within their organization and community.
Glossary of Terms – Canadian Race Relations Foundation
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation has a glossary of key concepts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Note: terminology in this field evolves over time, so the glossary remains a work in progress.
Shareable Anti-racism Resource Guide by Tasha K
An in-depth resource list focused on anti-racism. A variety of mediums include novels, memoirs, essays, movies, and podcasts.
Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. This course is accessible on Coursera.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 calls to action.
First Light Land Acknowledgement
First Light has shared a sample Newfoundland & Labrador land acknowledgment that can be used during meetings and public events. It is important that organizations reflect on the measures that are being undertaken to learn about Indigenous cultures and histories, and how to further reconciliation.
First Voice NL is a coalition of Indigenous Peoples, service providers, and all levels of government, with the aim to work together to advance truth and reconciliation in St. John’s, NL. Calls for Change is an interactive tool that shows the progress and roadmap of local efforts that promote truth and reconciliation.
Proactive Pay Equity Legislation in Newfoundland & Labrador
This report, published in 2022 by the St. John’s Status of Women Council, highlights the challenges and way forward for pay equity in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Challenge Partner Resources
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