National Anti-Racism Initiative

For over a century, BGC Canada has been removing barriers and creating
opportunities for millions of Canadian kids and teens. As Canada’s largest
charitable organization serving children and youth, our Clubs open their doors and
provide safe, inclusive spaces for young people of all backgrounds in 736 diverse
communities across the country.

We serve young people who are facing barriers of all types and we see firsthand the
effects of serious systemic issues. Our core values—Belonging, Respect,
Encouragement and Support, Working Together, Speaking Out—are built around
inclusion and we firmly stand against systemic racism, prejudice, discrimination,
and injustice.

With the support of our incredible partners, BGC Canada is proud to have taken
significant steps to embed Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and anti-racism
practices into our organizational culture, national initiatives and programs, and
staff training, including the following commitments:

National Statement on Racism and Discrimination

Truth and Reconciliation Commitment Statement: Developed with Club
leadership across the country, in consultation with Elders, Knowledge Keepers,
and youth leaders

Black North Initiative Pledge: We have committed to the 7 goals to move
Canada toward ending anti-Black systemic racism and creating opportunities
for underrepresented groups

National Youth Council Statement on Anti-Racism: Through our For Youth By
Youth model, we will continue to provide opportunities and support for BIPOC
(Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) youth to lead initiatives and inspire
change

We have also hired a Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and are in the
process of hiring an Indigenous Advisor. Together, they will support our EDI
work in the following ways:

• Auditing internal processes, policies, and procedures to reflect an EDI and Indigenized lens
• Identifying key EDI priorities from our Clubs and youth and taking a firm public stance on these issues
• Developing and rolling out sustainable, long-term data collecting strategies that will provide insights into EDI-specific work
• Developing and maintaining a network of partner stakeholders who focus on various EDI communities, and being a leader for sector-wide
  
  EDI efforts:

• Identifying sustainable funding for EDI programs, projects, and initiatives
• Developing trainings and resources for staff regarding our four priority pillars: Racialized communities and anti-racism, Indigenization and FNIM communities, 2S & LGBTQIA+, People with disabilities

Addionally, BGC Canada has rolled out many anti racism and diversity training, resources, programs, intitiatives to date.