Page 34 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Winter 2020 Digital Interactive Issue.

have been talking the talk and walking the walk,
since 1974, providing employment-related skills
development, and empowering adults with
disabilities to achieve social, community and
economic independence.

Saint John Learning Exchange is also a non-profit
providing adult support through individualized
learning, and access to employment; they
partner with local employers, offering a pool
of qualified and work-ready candidates, as
well as retention support. They also have social
enterprises that provide training opportunities
President Obama at the UN… he shared the for free, complete with five months of classroom and employ program participants, giving them a
story of the Hadhads who after five months had training and three months of paid internship, place to practice the skills they learned in classes
donated profits of their home-based business to and finally full-time employment or an option and get hands-on experience.
the Canadian Red Cross for wildfire relief efforts for part-time. Like PQA, Keith wanted PLATO to
clear across the country. Three years later, during provide outsourced testing solutions to clients OLDEST CITY, LARGEST COMPANY
a Canada-wide tour, Tareq was invited to meet throughout North America, with a focus on
President Obama, who spoke of the importance projects that would otherwise be sent offshore. As Canada’s oldest incorporated city, a
of diversity and inclusion. He also wanted PLATO to have its own identity, seaport city of the Atlantic Ocean, Saint John
to be staffed, led, and owned by Indigenous has long been a hub for diversity. Through
In 2019, Peace by Chocolate joined a network people. early immigration including from French
of over 140 multinationals like Shopify and and English colonists, Black Loyalist refugees,
McCain Foods (headquartered in Atlantic Inclusion from the ground up has created a American Revolution refugees, 150,000+ Irish
Canada), in a global coalition where they model of equity for PLATO, while promoting immigrants, the city I call home became a model
pledged to hire 50 refugees and mentor 10 and observing cultural practices like smudging for diversity and has a head start on growing
startups. Tent Partnership for Refugees is and Talking Circles. Another outcome of Keith’s diversity, inclusion, and equity.
mobilizing the global business community to vision, was allowing Indigenous software testers
include and engage 30 million refugees as to remain in their First Nations communities, In an effort to grow population back to the size
In Canada, besides the three territories to leave everything behind and flee to Lebanon Wantaqo’ti (pronounced wan-tahk-oo-di), potential employees and entrepreneurs. while building up IT talent and opportunity for of a bustling vibrant economy, Atlantic Canada’s
which only account for .33% of the country’s as refugees. For three years they lived with little the Mi’kmaq word for peace. But they had growth. largest private company, Irving, developed a
population, the four provinces that make hope of opportunity… until Canada opened accomplished even more… in addition to cultural With sales in Ontario and Western Canada diversity and inclusion plan through immigration,
up Atlantic Canada are the smallest of 10, their doors. inclusion of the Indigenous people, they had growing, the next step is an expansion into Now imagine replicating this model globally, and included a newcomer settlement program to
accounting for less than 6.5% of the population. diversified the FDI landscape in Nova Scotia; they the U.S. What the Community of Antigonish, by attracting this foreign direct investor from attract 8,000+ skilled workers and their families
One might not expect to find much diversity in Upon arrival, they were invited to a community had instilled hope for economic diversification Nova Scotia, and Canada have collectively Canada into the U.S. and into any country over these past three years.
small and rural communities, where families potluck in their new home town of Antigonish worldwide; and they had encouraged positive done for economic inclusion, and ultimately where Indigenous people do not have equal
have lived for generations and in-migration (pop. ~4,000), and naturally brought chocolate. economic growth and development in their for FDI, is ensure that everyone, regardless of opportunity… the FDI opportunities are endless. NEW YEAR, NEW WORLD
has not happened at the rate of out-migration. They made the first pieces in their home kitchen, community. They had rebuilt their family citizenship and socioeconomic status, has equal
With a need for economic growth driving a need the same way they had started in Syria. With business; and in eight months they had won opportunity to participate in the economic life of SOCIAL INCLUSION MEANS EVERYONE Going into the New Year the government
for population growth, and lifestyle and cost of the help of their new community, they built a the hearts of not only their community but of their community, not only as consumers, but as launched the #5030Challenge to promote
living as well as a safe haven for refugees driving small shed that would become the first Peace the Prime Minister and even a former President investors and employers. There are two organizations in Saint John diversity in corporate Canada, advancing
in-migration, small regions are finally seeing a by Chocolate shop, led by Tareq. of the U.S. who exemplify social inclusion by improving equity via programs that provide equal access
remarkable increase in people from various INCLUSION FROM THE GROUND UP participation in society, particularly for people to opportunities and resources for people who
racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural In recognition of the community, Peace by In 2016, Prime Minister Trudeau spoke to who are disadvantaged. Both do so by might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
backgrounds. That’s diversity! Inclusion is about Chocolate named their first chocolate bar the Leaders Summit on Refugees, hosted by One way to ensure inclusion in your business is enhancing opportunities, providing access to According to McKinsey & Company, companies
creating an environment where everyone feels to incorporate it at the ground level. An example resources, and amplifying a collective voice with racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more
welcome, is treated with respect, and is able to of a business that fosters inclusion from the for rights. likely to have higher financial returns. And if
fully participate… turns out smaller regions seem ground up is New Brunswick’s PLATO Testing, ever there was a year to focus on higher returns
to adopt it quicker and seamlessly. a company founded by industry veteran, and Key Industries, a non-profit with the tagline “We 2021 is it as we recover from 2020.
PQA Testing CEO, Keith McIntosh. Don’t Make Keys, But We Do Open Doors”,
Many organizations have done a great job
hiring diverse talent but with retention being a I remember back in 2015 when Keith was
key in hiring, you’re not going to retain people, selected to participate in the Governor General’s
or attract investment, if you don’t include them. Canadian Leadership Conference with 250
leaders from diverse backgrounds. During BERNADETTE FERNANDES
DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, EQUITY… AND PEACE the conference, the Truth and Reconciliation CEO, THE VARANDA NETWORK
Report was released and discussion emerged
Peace by Chocolate is a chocolate factory, that Indigenous people in Canada are a fast- The Varanda Network is an Economic Development Organization
but there’s more to them than chocolate. On growing population, simultaneously experiencing committed to the principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity. We work
the outside, they look like any other foreign under employment and low entrepreneurial with governments, industry, and communities globally to promote and
direct investor: a successful foreign business opportunities. diversify Trade & Investment.
for 26 years; exporting across the Middle East
and Europe; now investing in a small town in Keith’s vision emerged to address Canada’s bernadette.fernandes@thevarandanetwork.com
Nova Scotia. But on the inside, no one could technology talent shortage while breaking down
imagine…like much of their homeland, their barriers for Indigenous participation. Through www.TheVarandaNetwork.com
chocolate company had been destroyed in a PQA, he set out to offer training on software
bombing during a civil war, forcing the Hadhads testing and automation to Indigenous people bernadettefernandes

34. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL