Diversity Is Not Just About Gender, Race or Ethnicity.

We promote a variety of initiatives to ensure women are more prominently represented in all dimensions of the tech industry.

As a champion of diversity, we work with industry partners to spearhead initiatives that support tech savvy and positive learning and career choices for girls and women at strategic points within their development. We do this by:

• Showcasing successful female business leaders and sharing their learning, advice and guidance with our members;
• Providing a forum for members to share best practices for making female leaders successful;
• Offering a speaker series for women entrepreneurs; and
• Providing networking opportunities for SME women entrepreneurs to learn from senior sector leaders.
• Through a partnership with Women in Communications Technology (WCT), we offer the Women in Leadership Series, a successful program featuring senior leaders from the Canadian technology industry participating in frank discussions of the issues and challenges that women face in digital industries and successful strategies to address them.

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At TECHNATION, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) touches everything we do. We’re committed to continuous learning and broadening our understanding of DEI, and ensuring we’re contributing to building a more equitable, inclusive Canadian tech sector. We do this by:

• Developing and delivering programs and initiatives for underrepresented groups in Canada’s tech sector
• Building a more diverse and representative board and staff
• Our commitment to the Government of Canada’s 50:30 Challenge
• Fostering an inclusive pipeline of talent by building pathways and creating opportunities for tomorrow’s workforce.

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TECHNATION is helping lead the tech sector down the path toward Reconciliation.

We are committed to addressing and raising awareness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action 92. Canada’s corporate sector has been called upon to apply the principles, norms, and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) to its corporate policy and core operational values. To learn more about the Commission’s report, we invite you to visit their website.

Our goal is to set the example for Canada’s technology sector and to support our members on their own advancements toward Reconciliation.

TECHNATION’s response to Call to Action 92:

1. Build respectful relationships and commit to meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples.
   • TECHNATION is committed to authentic engagement, guided by Indigenous peoples (committees, members, consultations).
   • TECHNATION recognizes the invaluable contributions Indigenous peoples have made to technologies and the wisdom in being inclusive of diverse perspectives.
   • TECHNATION uses its position and influence to support and amplify Indigenous-led initiatives.
2. Ensure equitable access to jobs, training, and education for Indigenous peoples.
   • TECHNATION is committed to maintaining a board, leadership team, and staff that reflect Canada’s diverse population, including Indigenous representation.
   • TECHNATION’s Future Workforce Development programs help businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs create career pathways in our industry and provide skill development opportunities for Indigenous peoples.
   • TECHNATION’s Government Relations & Policy initiatives advocate for policies that promote digital equity for Indigenous nations and communities when representing our members’ interests.
3. Educate management and staff on the history and rights of Indigenous peoples.
   • TECHNATION fosters a workplace culture that values Indigenous perspectives and histories, supporting reconciliation.
   • TECHNATION provides paid training opportunities for its board, leadership, and staff on Indigenous issues.
   • TECHNATION will expand its membership services to support its members with education on reconciliation, to increase industry participation.
     • TECHNATION’s Zgaabii program, an outreach and engagement initiative for Indigenous post-secondary students within the borders of Canada on Turtle Island. TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program hosts gatherings and circles for students to connect with leaders in the tech industry. Zgaabii will take a conversational format to encourage listening and promote networking.