Inclusive Growth

A Canada for All Canadians

Our mission is to drive change, partner broadly and be the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. To deliver on this mission, we are committed to inclusive growth and enhancing support for members to fill their talent and skills gaps, and in doing so, increase opportunities for underrepresented segments of the Canadian population to fully participate and thrive in the economy.

Our prosperity depends on a strong business community that innovates, attracts talent and capital and expands into new markets. Ensuring all Canadians—from all sectors, regions and backgrounds— have the opportunity to participate in and rise up is one way to address this issue. The lessons we learned during COVID-19 demonstrate that this is truer than ever.

At the Canadian Chamber, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are central and essential to fairness of opportunity, competitiveness of business, economic growth and our nation’s prosperity. A vast body of research shows the most successful organizations are creating diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces in which individual differences and the contributions of all employees are equally recognized and valued.

Inclusion also makes financial sense. Improved participation rates could add 2.2 million workers to the labour force by 2040, including more women, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities. Not to mention grow our economy by $101 billion.

The Inclusive Growth campaign is working to mobilize the knowledge and resources of the Chamber Network to be a strong agent for change. As the largest business association in Canada, and with the grassroots strength of over 400 chambers of commerce and board of trade across Canada, we want to empower our Network to influence policy and government decisions and programs, to share and amplify member expertise and to leverage tools to support the business community in taking action.

The Canadian Chamber’s Inclusive Growth Awards recognize chambers of commerce, boards of trade and their business and non-profit members across Canada that do exceptional work to remove barriers and create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive economy. In addition, these awards are to recognize Indigenous and other underrepresented entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence in innovation and social impact.

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