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The disruptions brought on by COVID-19 have had immediate and profound impacts on health, social and economic conditions in our communities. It is clear that this crisis will leave lasting scars – and that the burdens of recovery are disproportionately falling on already vulnerable people and neighbourhoods. At the same time, recent protests in response to violence and systemic racism towards Black and Indigenous people have galvanized citizens and organizations to action. This Charter signals a new and collective commitment to creating inclusive economic opportunity in our communities, and to advancing the goal of an “inclusive rebuild.”

What is the ILEO Corporate Charter?

The ILEO Corporate Charter expresses the shared commitment of its signatories to the mission of growing inclusive economic opportunity, and to taking action through their organizations. It does not prescribe what actions should be taken, but encourages a healthy competitive ambition and shared learning. The Charter also builds upon many of the existing commitments these organizations already have, whether to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or to diversity and inclusion. Finally, while it binds together an initial group of signatories, it also opens the door to others that want to sign-on.

The Five Action Areas

Designed to meet organizations at their various starting points while challenging all to do more, the Charter commits signatories to continuous action and improvement in building a more inclusive and prosperous region.

There are many ways to take action to create inclusive local economic opportunities. The Charter identifies five types of corporate initiatives that signatory organization can take to actively include people from vulnerable communities:

  • Inclusive procurement practices that consider local and diverse suppliers;
  • Inclusive hiring and workforce policies that prioritize hiring from vulnerable communities and recognize barriers to employment;
  • Training and apprenticeship programs that offer skills, networks, and tools to improve employment prospects;
  • Fair wages and benefits for employees at all levels; and
  • Products and services that are tailored to ensure access and realize potential.

Signatories commit to taking action in one or more of these areas. Each organization determines what type of action(s) to take and how they will implement them.

The ILEO Corporate Charter

We, as signatories of the Inclusive Local Economic Opportunity (ILEO) Charter, are committed to increasing economic opportunity that is shared and inclusive. We will take action to address growing economic disparity, which is one of the biggest challenges of our time.

Our organizations are drivers of economic and social well-being, and each of us have a stake in ensuring vibrant and equitable cities where everyone can thrive. We all win when every resident has economic opportunities that contribute to a fulfilling life.

It is our shared responsibility to ensure that we create benefits for all our stakeholders, including employees, customers, shareholders, students, residents and the broader communities in which we operate.

We pledge to review our practices and adopt new approaches to ensure that more people share in the prosperity of our economy. Together, we have many levers at our disposal to actively include people from vulnerable communities, such as:

  • Inclusive procurement practices that consider local and diverse suppliers;
  • Inclusive hiring and workforce policies that prioritize hiring from vulnerable communities and recognize barriers to employment;
  • Training and apprenticeship programs that offer skills, networks, and tools to improve employment prospects;
  • Fair wages and benefits for employees at all levels; and
  • Products and services that are tailored to ensure access and realize potential.

Through this charter, we commit to taking actions through our organizations and in our spheres of influence that will bring more economic opportunity to more people in our communities. This is no small mission. We invite other leaders to join us.

Michael Cohen
President,
The Daniels Corporation

Michael Friisdhal
President and Chief Executive Office,
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment

Claude Guay
President and General Manager,
IBM Canada

Nicolas Marcoux
Chief Executive Officer,
PwC Canada

Andrew Pringle
Principal and Chairman,
RP Investment Advisors

Beth Wilson
Canada Chief Executive Officer,
Dentons

Dean Connor
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Sun Life Financial

Meric Getler
President,
University of Toronto

Cynthia Hansen
Executive Vice-Presidentand President,
Gas Distribution & Storage, Enbridge

Marcia Moffat
Managing Director and Country Head of Canada, BlackRock

Kenneth Tanenbaum
Vice-Chairman,
Kilmer Van Nostrand Co. Ltd.

Michael Cooper
President & Chief Responsible Officer,
Dream Unlimited

Johnathan Gitlin
President and Chief Operating Officer,
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

Stephen Liptrap
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Lifeworks

Andrew Pickersgill
Managing Partner,
McKinsey & Company Canadan

Darryl White
Chief Executive Officer,
BMO Financial Group(Co-Chair)