Workplace Inclusion Initiative

The Workplace Inclusion Initiative supports employers in making changes that foster more welcoming and inclusive workplaces and helps to attract and retain participants in the workforce across Cape Breton- Unama’ki.

Employer Resource Toolkit

Please find below a list of Unama’ki – Cape Breton, Nova Scotia-based and national resources to support the enactment of change to make workplaces more welcoming and inclusive. It is important to recognize the vital work pursued by the Government of Nova Scotia in the creation of key resources to support employers in making their workplaces more inclusive and welcoming: https://workplaceinitiatives.novascotia.ca/welcoming-workplaces

Note: The contents of this toolkit are a compilation of external resources available at the time of development and is not comprehensive of all resources and information available. This resource toolkit does not constitute legal advice or direction. Please use this information at your discretion and seek expert legal advice and/or additional resources to ensure you are up to date on all practices and principles related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace. Additional resources will be added as made available. If you know of a resource not currently listed, please use the form at the bottom of this page to submit for consideration.

Bradley Sheppard; Sheppard Diversity Training 
Consultant and trainer
Location: Cape Breton Regional Municipality
shepparddiversity@gmail.com

 

Membertou Heritage Park
Mi’kmaw education (history, culture, etc)
Location: Membertou First Nation
902-567-5333 or 902-562-0444

 

Robert Bernard; The Indigenous Guide
Indigenous cultural trainer and consultant
Location: We’koqma’q Mi’kmaw Nation
info@theindigenousguide.com
902-302-3300

 

Veronica Merryfield
LGBTQI+ trainer, consultant, advocator and activist
Location: Cape Breton Regional Municipality
veronica@merryfield.ca

 

Are you an EDI consultant, trainer, or expert and would like to be considered to be added to this list? Please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration
An organization that provides services to help newcomers settle in Cape Breton- Unama’ki. Services range from support for the Atlantic Immigration Program, to both aspects in a newcomer’s professional and daily life.

 

Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership (Island Wide) 
An initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership that fosters welcoming communities that supports the full participation of newcomers in the social, economic, political and cultural life of Cape Breton- Unama’ki.

 

Cape Breton Partnership: Immigration supports 
A service available through the Cape Breton Partnership that provides support and guides employers on the Atlantic Immigration Program, employment-based streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, high-level immigration advice, answer immigration questions for employers and immigration candidates, and provide guidance on processes such as the Labour Market Impact Assessments and the Global Talent Stream.

 

Cape Breton Regional Library
The McConnell Library provides English language practice for newcomers.

 

Cape Breton Transgender Network
A new organization supporting, and advocating for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Cape Breton Transgender network provides education on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), in general and with a focus on topics related to the transgender community or the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as a whole.

 

Cape Breton Welcome Network (Island Wide)
An initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership that welcomes newcomers to help them settle on the Island through various welcome networks in communities across Cape Breton- Unama’ki.

 

Cape Breton Youth Project
A non-profit charitable organization supporting youth identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+ in Cape Breton- Unama’ki through programs and services including educational workshops. The Cape Breton Youth Project also provides education that is available to employers.

 

Government of Nova Scotia, Labour, Skills and Immigration
Through the Government of Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration stream, provides direction to employers and individuals on the appropriate programs or resources based on their needs or inquiries.

Kris Kolanko, Community Navigator
902-240-7027
Kris.kolanko@novascotia.ca

 

Le Conseil de development economique de la Nouvelle-Ecosse
A not-for-profit organization that provides a variety of services including supporting employers with employee recruitment and retention through the assistance of Employer Engagement Specialists.  Intercultural competency workshops are also available. Services are focused on Acadian and Francophone communities.

 

Northside Employment and Resource Centre
An organization that provides a variety of services including free employer supports via an Employer Engagement Specialist. An Employer Engagement Specialist can assist with the development of competency-based job descriptions, recruitment and referral of potential candidates, employment maintenance support and retention and more.

 

Pride Cape Breton
A not-for-profit organization that supports the pursuit of education and awareness by bringing together members of the LGBTQ+ community.

 

Pride Eskasoni
A not-for-profit supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Eskasoni. Click here for a 2SLGBTQ+ Glossary of Terms.

 

YMCA Cape Breton- Nova Scotia Works
A charitable organization that provides a variety of services including free employer supports via Employer Engagement Specialists. Services include training, workforce planning, human resources assistance and more!

 

YREACH (YMCA OF Greater Halifax/Dartmouth)
A program of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth provides client-centered supports to help newcomers and their families settle and integrate in the community in addition to support for employers for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), to name a few.

Black Business Initiative 
A business development organization supporting businesses in Atlantic Canada that are owned by individuals in the Black community.

 

Diversity Employment Network

A network focusing on inclusion in the workforce of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour through employment supports for members of those equity-deserving groups while working with businesses, community organizations and government associations for this intent. Supports are available for job seekers and employers. Services for employers include recruitment services, workplace diversity coaching and board governance training.

 

Government of Nova Scotia
The Government of Nova Scotia provides various services in relation to immigration in general and in support of employers.

 

Immigration Francophone de la Nouvelle-Ecosse
An organization that provides immigration services for Francophones immigrating to Nova Scotia. Services are available for permanent residents, temporary residents or individuals interested in immigrating to Canada. Support is provided pre and post-arrival.

 

Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS)
A non-profit organization that supports immigrants to settle and integrate in communities in Nova Scotia through various services. Additional services are provided to employers across Nova Scotia to attract and retain immigrant talent and make workplaces inclusive for immigrants.

 

Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS)
An organization focusing on Community Impact Sector in Nova Scotia by making connections, advocacy and providing supports in areas including workforce challenges and more!

 

Inclusion Nova Scotia
A not-for-profit organization that is provincial in scope serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families by providing supports. Through their work Inclusion Nova Scotia creates resources to ensure inclusion in various environments including the workplace.

 

Le Conseil de development economique de la Nouvelle-Ecosse
A not-for-profit organization that provides a variety of services including supporting employers with employee recruitment and retention through the assistance of Employer Engagement Specialists.  Intercultural competency workshops are also available. Services are focused on Acadian and Francophone communities.

 

Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
A charitable organization that provides law focused supports including resources and information for individuals living in Nova Scotia. Examples of resources include online training, cultural competence videos on various topics including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

 

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
An independent government agency in Nova Scotia that serves all Nova Scotians and diverse communities with a focus on the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Resources are available for employers in this scope.

 

Nova Scotia Works
A compilation of resources including an HR toolkit focusing on recruitment and retention, welcoming workplaces to support the creation of welcoming and inclusive workplaces and Inspired to Hire which focuses on hiring youth.

 

The Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE)
A national association focusing on the inclusion of persons with a disability in the workforce. Employment services are available to various stakeholders including employers, service providers and allies in the community. Sample resources include the HR Inclusive Policy Toolkit which is made up of various toolkits focusing on inclusive workplaces, accessibility, job descriptions and more.

 

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth (Immigrant Services)
A charity that provides a variety of services including community-based services for newcomer families, youth and children.

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI)
An organization that utilizes research to support employers to become inclusive. A variety of resources and events are available to employers.

 

The 50-30 Challenge (What Works Toolkit): Your Diversity Advantage
A toolkit created to support Canadian organizations in implementing initiatives focused on equity and diversity to in turn pursue inclusion of members of equity-deserving groups in the workplace. Resources are included to help employers pursue the 50-30 challenge.

 

The Micropedia
A resource created through the collaborative efforts of the Black Business and Professional Association, Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity and Workplace Equity, TED Rogers School of Management Diversity Institute and Pride at Work Canada. This continuously evolving resource highlights microaggressions experienced by a various equity-deserving groups and various classifications such as age, religion, etc.

 

The Workplace Inclusion Charter
A compilation of free resources for Workplace Inclusion for employers.

 

World Education Services
A non-profit social enterprise focused on providing assistance to achieve goals in the realm of education and careers for refugees, immigrants and international students in Canada and the United States through various ways including immigrant integration. An employer playbook is available with resources on recruiting, hiring, onboarding and integrating immigrants.

 

Whose Land
A web-based app produced through collaborative efforts to help inform and educate individuals on the Indigenous land on which we reside (Canada). You can learn more about the Indigenous Nations, Territories and Indigenous communities specific to where you reside in Canada. This information and more can be found on the Whose Land page.

Do you see any resource(s) that need updating, additional resources to be added, or an error? Or are you an EDI-focused consultant who would like to have their information included on this page? Please click here to submit your feedback or additions to the page including resources or consultant information for consideration.

This initiative was developed by the Cape Breton Partnership and funded by the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration. Thank you to the Workplace Inclusion Advisory Committee for their support and contributions to this work. Special thanks to Common Good Solutions for pursuit of consultations across Cape Breton- Unama’ki and for the creation of a report to highlight the findings.

Download Workplace Inclusion Initiative: Consultations & Recommendations (Dec 2022)