Devika Pandey
Director of Learning and Knowledge Solutions,
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Canadian companies have made great strides in workplace inclusion and are reaping the benefits. A DEI toolkit from CCDI helps them reach even higher.
Canada is a diverse nation with many different cultures, communities, and traditions—which make us a strong and vibrant country.
Recent studies highlight the advantages of fostering a diverse work environment. Beyond mere compliance, this commitment enhances employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention rates. The ability to attract top talent can lead to greater innovation and higher profitability. Diverse perspectives also contribute to better team performance for faster decision making and heightened creativity. Additionally, inclusive workplace cultures and policies speak well to the organization’s reputation.
Shifting demographics make DEI a business imperative
The statistics speak for themselves. Between 2016 and 2036, the proportion of workers who are immigrants to Canada is expected to increase from one in four to one in three. The Indigenous identifying population in Canada is growing significantly faster than the non-Indigenous population. Forty-seven per cent of workers over 15 are women and 53 per cent of university-educated workers are women. With people retiring later, there is more generational diversity in the workforce, and the proportion of people with disabilities in the workforce has increased from 4.9 per cent in 2006 to 9.1 per cent in 2016.
Intersectional identities are inherent in the population, yet there are gaps in understanding how to effectively implement DEI strategies that support all dimensions of diversity in the workplace.
“Given Canada’s shifting demographics, organizations will need to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies to enable their workforce to perform at their fullest potential,” says Devika Pandey, Director of Learning and Knowledge Solutions, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI).
With an increase of equity-seeking groups in the labour market, the business imperative of DEI is clear.
Implementation a challenge for many organizations
Despite Canada’s standing as a global leader in workplace inclusion among developed nations, there are still challenges to overcome. “Intersectional identities are inherent in the population, yet there are gaps in understanding how to effectively implement DEI strategies that support all dimensions of diversity in the workplace,” says Pandey. Providing equitable opportunities can also be an issue employers face as they attempt to navigate differences and conflicts that arise because of diverse perspectives held by employees.
A CCDI toolkit to get your DEI implementation right
Understanding how to effectively champion, deploy and sustain DEI initiatives is key. CCDI has developed a comprehensive toolkit to address these challenges and enhance your organization’s DEI initiatives with resources, including assessment tools, success measurement guides, recent business case data, risk evaluation for non-investment, and relevant legislation.
“What is unique about this toolkit is that it explores things with a pan-diversity focus, spanning many dimensions of diversity,” says Pandey. “This isn’t simply about highlighting the differences — it’s about creating inclusive spaces while recognizing and celebrating those differences.”
Download your free DEI toolkit to get started.
