2024 Inclusive Growth Dialogues

Join us this fall for the 2024 Inclusive Growth Dialogue Series, where we continue our mission to drive meaningful change and champion inclusive growth. Building on the success of last year’s series, we aim to foster greater participation and opportunities for underrepresented groups across Canada.

What Is Inclusive Growth?

According to the OECD, inclusive growth means economic development that benefits everyone in society. The business case for diversity and inclusion has never been stronger.

Research shows that diverse, equitable, and inclusive companies are more resilient, attract top talent, and serve diverse markets more effectively. Ensuring all Canadians—from all sectors, regions and backgrounds— can fully participate and thrive in the economy is a business imperative.

2024 Inclusive Growth Dialogues

• October 8, 2024 – Youth Employment (Charlottetown, PEI)
• October 22, 2024 – Economic Reconciliation (Nanaimo, B.C.)
• November 7, 2024 – Minority-Owned Businesses (Kingston, ON)

• Charlottetown, PEI
• Nanaimo, B.C.
• Kingston, ON

October 8, 2024

Join us in Charlottetown for the kick-off of the 2024 Inclusive Growth Dialogues, in collaboration with the Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce

Since the announcement in P.E.I. to reduce provincial permanent residency allocations by 25%, local employers have expressed concern about the effects this cut will have on their current and future workforce. At the same time, youth unemployment in Canada has reached record highs. This dialogue aims to take a deep dive on the current employment challenges experienced by youth in Atlantic Canada and brainstorm how local Chambers of Commerce and their members can address these challenges and ensure local youth have access to meaningful and in-demand employment opportunities.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

AGENDA

9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Registration
10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.	Opening Remarks
10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m	Presentation on Workforce Population
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Panel Discussion: Empowering Youth Through Employment Ryan Keliher BA, B.Ed, MBA, Deputy General Secretary, Prince Edward Island Teachers Federation Morgan MacLean, Owner of MTM Lawns Sheryl MacAulay, President & CEO, Junior Achievement PEI
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	Lunch
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.	Panel Discussion: Empowering People with Disabilities to Enter the Workforce Mark Cameron, Employment Manager, ResourceAbilities   Geri Costello, Abilities@Work Program Manager, ResourceAbilities
1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Roundtable Discussions
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Closing Remarks

October 22, 2024

Join us in Nanaimo for the second Inclusive Growth Dialogue, in collaboration with the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.

This dialogue is taking place a day before The Vancouver Island 18^th Economic Summit which is a popular event with business owners, community leaders, and aspiring entrepreneurs in the region. The focus of this dialogue will be to raise awareness of the importance of accelerating progress on economic reconciliation and meaningful relationship building with local First Nations.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

This Event Is in Partnership With

Supported By

AGENDA

10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.	Registration
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m	Panel Discussion Desiree Baker, Founder, REV Consulting Erralyn Joseph, Councilor, Snuneymuxw First Nation Kear Potris, Owner, Indigenous Professional, Porttris Consulting Group
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.	Lunch and Keynote Angela Vand Den Hout, CEO, Blueberry River Restoration Society
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Roundtable Dialogues
2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m	Closing Remarks

November 7, 2024

Join us in Kingston for the third Inclusive Growth Dialogue, in collaboration with the Kingston Chamber of Commerce.

In collaboration with the Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce, this event will focus on the importance of fostering an inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystem by supporting minority-owned businesses. Attendees will explore some of the challenges and opportunities identified by underrepresented business owners and learn strategies to promote inclusive growth at the local level.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

AGENDA

10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.	Registration
10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.	Opening Remarks
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m	Opening Keynote Darrell Schuurmaan, CEO at Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m	Panel Discussion with leading local entrepreneurs and executives: ·      Elijah Chavis Maracle, Chef/Owner of The Westwind Catering ·      Martha Williams, Founder of Pedal Works Café & Studios ·      Rathi Perumal, CEO of Uyir Engineering Inc. Moderated by: ·     Mariam Hussain, Commercial Account Manager at BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada)
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Lunch & Ending Keynote Patrick C. Egbunonu, Business Leader | Educator | Digital Technologies | Data Analytics | Artificial Intelligence
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	Roundtable Dialogues
2:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m	Closing Remarks

Thank You to Our Series Sponsor