Cassandra Dorrington
President & CEO,
Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council
A case by Cassandra Dorrington, President & CEO of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council.
Do the benefits of diversity far outweigh the drives innovation, resilience, and global connections, making the country stronger and more competitive. While embracing diversity presents challenges, such as adjusting to new languages and perspectives, the benefits vastly outweigh these. From coast to coast to coast, diversity enriches communities, strengthens social ties, and boosts the economy.
Did you know that Canada adopted multiculturalism as an official policy in 1971? This ensures that diversity isn’t just accepted—it’s celebrated. Canada’s inclusive approach fosters belonging for individuals from various ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds, making it one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Canada’s Indigenous heritage also reminds Canadians of the importance of respecting and learning from different traditions and histories.
Over the years, what are some best practices that have worked for celebrating diversity?
1. Canada hosts multicultural festivals and holidays to highlight its rich traditions and histories. Examples include events like Toronto’s Caribana, Calgary’s GlobalFest, and Vancouver’s Diwali Fest.
2. Encouraging diversity in education and services through the promotion of cultural sensitivity and multilingualism to foster inclusion through observing diverse holidays, school curriculum, and training.
3. The development of workplace policies that support diverse employees, such as flexible hours for cultural observances, diversity training, inclusive hiring practices and active mentorship for diverse leaders. Employee resource groups (ERGs) for under- represented communities provide support networks and amplify diverse voices.
What more can be done to drive economic impact across Canada? In the last twenty years, Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) has worked with corporate and government entities to intentionally add the following practices to celebrate inclusion in the Supply Chain:
1. An active outreach and support of diverse businesses owned by underrepresented groups, such as women, Indigenous entrepreneurs, refugees, 2SLGBTQI+, minority-owned, veterans, and Persons with Disabilities owned enterprises. Creating opportunities for these diverse suppliers not only fosters economic inclusivity but also diversifies the perspectives and products available in the supply chain.
2. The provision of training, mentorship, and resources to diverse suppliers to help them grow and compete effectively in the market. Supporting these businesses ensures they can scale sustainably, enabling more equitable participation in the economy.
3. Be intentional to include diversity goals in procurement policies and track progress on sourcing and spending from diverse-owned businesses. Transparent reporting on these metrics reinforces a commitment to celebrating diversity.
By fostering economic inclusion and respect, Canada builds a future where people of all backgrounds can thrive.
What does diversity mean for Canada’s future? By fostering economic inclusion and respect, Canada builds a future where people of all backgrounds can thrive. Collaboration drives progress, and a shared commitment to equity makes Canada a global leader. In this future, diversity will remain a source of strength, inspiration, and growth for generations to come.
To learn more about CAMSC and diverse supplier certification, visit camsc.ca.
