Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Resources

Please note that this page will be regularly updated. Think something is missing? Please email us here. 

Power in Diversity video series

We invite you to watch to our mini-video series, Power in Diversity - where we welcome local community members to help answer critical questions and provide thought leadership to the business community by talking about equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Click here to watch the playlist

Episode 1: Diversity in the Workplace with Kevin Sutton, writer, spoken-word performance artist, workshop facilitator, communications professional, community organizer, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Guelph and host of the Great Pause on CFRU 93.3 FM

Episode 2: Newcomers in the Workforce with Katrina Michielsen, Supervisor of Employment Services at Lutherwood and Leen Al-Habash, Project Manager at Guelph Wellington Local Immigration Partnership

Episode 3: Accessibility in the Workplace with Mike Greer, Motivational Speaker, Disability Advocate, Athlete, and Outreach and Engagement Specialist at the Rick Hansen Foundation

Episode 4: Women in Entrepreneurship with Dr. Janét Aizenstros, Chairwoman & Founder of Ahava Group Global

Episode 5: 2SLGBTQIA+ in Business with Gavin Armstrong, President & CEO of Lucky Iron Fish and Board Member of the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce 

Black Community

Guelph Black Heritage Society:

  • The Guelph Black Heritage Society is a critical service in our community, promoting Black Heritage and providing the community with opportunities to learn about Guelph and Wellington County’s Black heritage. The Guelph Black Heritage Society:

    • Stages presentations during Black Heritage Month, Emancipation Day, and throughout the year

    • Provides the community a space for events, workshops, and meetings at their location at 83 Essex Street in Guelph, a historical British Methodist Episcopal church building. This gathering place provides a safe space to promote Guelph and Wellington County’s distinctive place in Southwestern Ontario’s rich Black heritage.

  • To learn more about the Guelph Black Heritage Society, or to make a donation to the organization, click here. 

Resources for black business owners and allies:

  • Demonstrate that your workplace is a safe and inclusive place for the Black community by downloading and printing this poster (courtesy of the Guelph Black Heritage Society). 
  • Click here to support Black-owned businesses in our community.

The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP):

  • The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and financial institutions. With an investment of up to $350.8 million over four years, it will help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and into the future.
  • Click here for more information. 

Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce:

  • The Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) is the voice of Black Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs. CBCC promotes local and bilateral trade, resources, information and cultural exchange for business. and is dedicated to a prosperous Black Canadian community
  • Click here for more information.

Muslim Community

Muslim Society of Guelph:

  • The Muslim Society of Guelph (MSOG) that exists as a platform for all Muslims and is dedicated to serving the needs of the Muslims and the Muslim community in Guelph and surrounding areas.

  • Click here to visit their website.

Indigenous Community 

Canadian Council of Indigenous Business:

  • The Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) has a mission to promote, strengthen and enhance a prosperous Indigenous economy through the fostering of business relationships, opportunities and awareness for all of our members. CCIB delivers events, and programs that facilitate the growth of Indigenous business, build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous business, and ensure life-long learning for Indigenous entrepreneurs, and other Canadian business leaders. To find out more, or how to become a member, click here.

Shared Value Solutions:

  • Shared Value Solutions assists Indigenous communities with regulatory advice, negotiation and business strategy, relevant supporting studies, and technical reviews related to major development projects such as mines, hydroelectric facilities, transmission lines, highway expansions, oil and gas pipelines, and nuclear power.
  • Click here to visit their website.

Anishnabeg Outreach Employment & Training Inc.:

  • Anishnabeg Outreach Employment & Training Inc. extends employment, education and training services to all eligible Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.  We offer Employment Ontario and Aboriginal specific funding and programs including Apatsiwin.
  • If you're an individual or organization, click here to see the Employment Services that are offered. 

BDC, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation Training:

  • 4 Seasons of Reconciliation provides the foundational knowledge on the relationship between Canada, Indigenous Peoples, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC). It promotes a renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians through transformative learning about truth and reconciliation.
  • Developed by the First Nations University of Canada and Reconciliation Canada, BDC offers this course to you for free. Click here to visit their website.

Shop Indigenous: 

  • Coming soon from Anishnabeg Outreach Employment & Training!

Indigenous Crisis Lines:

  • If you are in crisis, call First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310. This line is toll free and available 247.
  • The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is available to provide support to former residential school students and those affected. You can access emotional and crisis referral services by calling the 24-Hour National Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419.
  • Talk 4 Healing is a culturally grounded, fully confidential helpline for Indigenous women, available in 14 different languages all across Ontario. Call. Start your personal path to healing with acceptance and support by clicking here or by calling 1-855-554-HEAL (4325) (live chat and texting options available here too).
  • For more access to Indigenous crisis supports, please click here.

LGBTQ2IA+ Community 

Pride at Work Canada:

  •  Train your organization in 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion with their free E-Learning Webinar here.
  • Find out more information on programming and partnerships, sign up for E-learning and register for events here.

Guelph Pride:

  • June is Pride Month -  Find out more here.

Out on the Shelf:

  • Out on the Shelf is a local not-for-profit organization offering services to the LGBTQ2IA+ community including a queer library and resource centre and runs various monthly programming events. Click here to learn more. 

Canadian History of Pride:

  • Read a history of Canadian Pride, learn about milestones, and explore queer history timelines here.

Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC):

  • The CGLCC connects 2SLGBTQI+ businesses to a global network or a corporation with a vested interest in diverse procurement. They facilitate connections that can build a more inclusive Canada. The CGLCC also serves businesses looking to form more inclusive cultures or programming, offering inclusivity training and market-preparedness training for serving 2SLGBTQI+ clientele. They use their community-based expertise and research to facilitate a stronger, more inclusive Canadian economy for all. To get involved or to find out more about programming such as their Supplier Diversity Program, click here.

Accessibility 

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA):

  • To learn more about accessibility in Ontario and what your business needs to do to comply, click here.
  • Learn how Accessibility is good for business from the Ontario government here.

Accessibility Works by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce: 

  • Supported by the Government of Ontario, Accessibility Works was designed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to help businesses across the province be informed about their responsibilities under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

  • Through the EnAbling Change Fund, Accessibility Works offers training that will help organizations in Ontario develop an accessibility plan. We will come to your community and provide a one-hour workshop with everything that you need to know about your accessibility requirements. You can also participate in one of our one-hour, online interactive sessions.

  • To learn more, click here.

Discover Ability Network:

  • Discover Ability Network connects persons with disabilities seeking employment with Ontario businesses looking to meet their talent requirements. It showcases the business advantages of employing persons with disabilities and provides guidelines on best practices for hiring.
  • Click here for more information.

City of Guelph's Accessibility Advisory Committee: 

  • The City of Guelph's Accessibility Advisory Committee provides vision and direction to staff and Council regarding the removal of barriers that exist with Municipal services, practices and programs.
  • Click here to see meeting and committee information.