Pride at Work Canada Webinar & Workshop Series Schedule
All webinars and workshops are exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners & Community Partners and take place on Wednesdays from 12 pm to 1 pm ET. For description details and registration, follow the accompanying links. Access details will be emailed to you closer to the date for which you registered.
Stay tuned for a full schedule! Subscribe to our newsletter below to receive updates on our events.
July 12
Celebrating non-binary identity through inclusion, pronouns and inclusive language (French)
Presenter: Mathieu Young (he/him, they/them), Virtual Programs Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Join us in celebrating International Non-Binary Day with a workshop focused on non-binary inclusion, gender-neutral pronouns, and legal recognition of their identity. We will share information about the different laws and policies that exist in different countries and jurisdictions, as well as the challenges that non-binary people still face in gaining legal recognition of their identity.
July 19
Strategizing Against Rising Hate (English)
Presenter: Fae Johnstone (she/her, they/them), Executive Director, Wisdom2Action, and President, Momentum, and Quinn Blue (he/him, they/them), Program and Engagement Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Join Pride at Work Canada for a conversation on strategizing together against rising hate. You and your organizations all have a role to play, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and supporters have a long history of making the world better.
August 23
Intersectionality within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (English)
Presenters: Iyol Martínez (they/them), Leadership Programs Coordinator, and Quinn Blue (he/him, they/them), Programming & Engagement Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Join us for a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation on the intersectionality within the 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion. Our speakers will explore the ways in which different social identities intersect and impact the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and share strategies for promoting intersectional inclusion and advocacy.
September 13
Bisexual Inclusion at Work (English)
Presenters: Taralyn Parr (she/they), Director of Diversity and Inclusion, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Jade Pichette (they/them), Director of Programs, Pride at Work Canada
Description: This interactive webinar will explore the unique experiences of bisexual individuals in the workplace and provide emerging tools and strategies for creating a more inclusive work environment. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and activities to deepen their understanding of bisexuality, learn how to be better allies to the bisexual community, and gain insights into how to build a workplace culture that celebrates all forms of sexual orientation.
September 20
Workshop: Intersectionality within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (French)
Presenters: Mathieu Young (he/they), Virtual Programs Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Join us for a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation on the intersectionality within the 2SLGBTQIA+ workplace inclusion. Our speaker will explore the ways in which different social identities intersect and impact the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and share strategies for promoting intersectional inclusion and advocacy.
March 22
Passing the test – Offering safe and welcoming job opportunities (French)
Presenter: Zakary-Georges Gagné (she/they), Francophone Engagement Coordinator, The Enchanté Network
Description: In this webinar, Zakary-Georges Gagné (she/they), Francophone Engagement Coordinator at the Enchanté Network, will share some of her experiences in looking for employment as a non-binary, transfeminine, and Cree person, as well as her professional experiences in strengthening HR practices and decolonized, anti-racist, accessible, and inclusive work spaces.
April 12
Disability Justice for 2SLGBTQIA+ Employees (English)
Presenter: Karine-Myrgianie Jean-François (she/her), Manager, Local Development, City of Montréal’s Service of Social Diversity and Inclusion
Description: This webinar will explore anti-oppression and ableism, from disability rights to disability justice as a way to fully support disabled colleagues and employees by identifying power dynamics and taking action today while mirroring what has happened in queer and trans communities in the past.
April 19
Building Belonging in Hiring Processes (English)
Presenters: Jade Pichette (they/them), Director of Programs, and Londzo Drury (she/her), Manager of Workplace & Culture, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Using Pride at Work Canada’s journey to more inclusive hiring practices with a focus on accessibility and anti-racism, presenters will share strategies to build in belonging from the start.
May 24
Testing Hiring Discrimination in Canada’s Blue-Collar Industry (English)
Presenters: Margaret Robinson (she/her), PhD, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Reconciliation, Gender, & Identity, Coordinator, Indigenous Studies, & Associate Professor at Dalhousie University
Description: To understand the role of anti-queer hiring discrimination in Canada’s blue-collar sector, Dr. Maryam Dilmaghani (Saint Mary’s University) and Dr. Margaret Robinson (Dalhousie University) conducted an experiment. Dr. Robinson will discuss their experiment, explain the findings, and consider what those results tell us about hiring discrimination in blue-collar Canada.
June 14
Advancing Two-Spirit and Indigenous Inclusion in the Workplace (English)
Presenters: TBA
Description: In honour of National Indigenous People’s History Month, join us for a discussion focused on promoting the inclusion of Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Indigenous employees in the workplace. Through this webinar, you will gain the knowledge and tools needed to create a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture for 2SLGBTIQA+ Indigenous employees.
January 18
Rethinking Inclusion Training (English)
Presenters: Jade Pichette (they/them), Director of Programs, and Connor Pion (he/him, they/them), Senior Programs Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Reviewing the common mistakes of corporate 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion training strategies, this workshop will address how staff development can be changed to create more inclusive environments and to have a bigger impact on employees.
January 25
How Employee Networks Create Wellbeing (bilingual)
Presenters: You-Ta Chuang (he/him), Professor, Jing Wang (she/her), Researcher, and Guolei (Chris) Zhang (he/him), Researcher York University
Description: Led by a research team from York University’s School of Human Resource Management, this webinar will guide attendees to a deeper understanding of the impacts of subtle forms of discrimination in the workplace and the unique role of social networks on the wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ employees. Exploring the preliminary data from “Do you see what I see? The role of LGBTQ2+ employees’ network in shaping their experiences of workplace discrimination and wellbeing,” and the project survey that Pride at Work Canada promoted to Proud and Community Partners, attendees will be provided with valuable insights that can inform best practices for the recruitment, retention, and engagement, of queer and trans employees.
January 31 (Tuesday)
Engaging Community Organizations (English)
Presenters: Community Partners
Description: Learn about the missions of our Community Partner organizations, non-profit organizations that support equity-deserving communities. Through a series of short presentations from mission-driven organizations, learn about opportunities for collaboration and the incredible change-making work that they are doing.
March 15
Leading with Heart – Moving Beyond the Business Case for DEI (English)
Presenter: Dani Gomez-Ortega (she/her), Senior Manager – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Loblaw Companies Limited
Description: This webinar by DEI leader Dani Gomez-Ortega will discuss the importance of moving beyond the business case for DEI, and will provide leaders with the tools and language needed to put people at the center of this conversation.
October 12
Coming Out & Psychological Safety at Work (English)
Presenter: Deepak Kashyap (he/him), Manager, DEIB Programs, Meridian Credit Union
Description: The business of disclosure at work can be very complicated for 2SLGBTQIA+ employees and job seekers. Following Coming Out Day on October 11th where many people discuss openly their gender identity and sexual orientation. Whether two-spirit, queer, and trans employees are “out” is very dependent on the psychological safety that is built.
November 2
Telling the Story of Your Social Impact (English)
Presenter: Colin Druhan (he/him), Executive Director, Pride at Work Canada
Description: This workshop for Pride at Work Canada’s Community Partners will focus on quantifying the social change you’re already making. Through interactive learning activities, you’ll gain insight into how you can articulate your organization’s impact for different audiences while staying true to your mission and values.
November 16
2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomer Inclusion at Work (English)
Presenter: Hazim Ismail (dia, they/them), Coordinator, Community Education – Positive Spaces Initiative, OCASI
Description: This webinar presented by Hazim Ismail, will discuss the experiences that gender and sexual minority newcomers may face when coming to Canada and looking for employment. We will tackle best practices of making an inclusive space for all newcomer staff and job seekers.
November 23
2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomer Inclusion at Work (French)
Presenter: Sizwe Inkingi (they/them, she/her), Bilingual Coordinator, Positive Spaces Initiative, OCASI
Description: This webinar presented by Sizwe Inkingi, will discuss the experiences that gender and sexual minority newcomers may face when coming to Canada and looking for employment. The discussion will focus on the experiences of newcomers in Francophone workplaces, and Francophone newcomers. We will tackle best practices of making an inclusive space for all newcomer staff and job seekers.
July 13
Trans-Forming through Transformative Justice and Community Building (English)
Presenter: Monica Forrester (she/her), 2Spirit Transwoman of colour, Spirit name: Southern Eagle
Description: This webinar will share Monica Forrester’s experiences and extensive contributions to trans history, community work, activism, and advocacy within the numerous and overlapping intersections of her identities as a trans woman of colour and a sex worker living in Toronto.
August 24
2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusive Health Benefits (English)
Presenters: Jade Pichette and Quinn Blue, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Leveraging the expertise of the Pride at Work Canada staff team, this presentation will unpack some of the barriers that 2SLGBTQIA+ employees experience when accessing health benefits and offer key recommendations for ensuring your benefits plan truly benefits all employees, regardless of gender identity and/or sexual orientation.
September 14
Bisexual Inclusion at Work (English)
Presenter: Cheryl Dobinson (she/her), bisexual researcher and community activist
Description: This webinar will explore the often invisiblized realities of bisexual lives, issues, and experiences, with a focus on the workplace. Longtime bisexual advocate Cheryl Dobinson will share ways to take action to challenge biphobia, create positive work environments, and include bisexual employees and jobseekers in meaningful ways.
September 21
2SLGBTQIA+ Harassment in the Workplace (French)
Presenter: Olivia Baker (she/her), Program Manager, Fondation Émergence
Description: Together we will look at definitions of psychological and sexual harassment, examples of how these issues affect 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the workplace, as well as best practices for responding to harassment, both as a victim and as a witness.
March 23
Striking a balance in diverse and inclusive marketing by changing the way we work and collaborate (French)
Presenter: Marjorie Roux (she/her), President & Founder, Matinée Studio
Description: How can organizations develop marketing strategies that are truly inclusive? In an era of growing interest in diversity and inclusion strategies in the workplace, how must media relations and marketing evolve in order to truly reflect companies’ and institutions’ values?
April 13
Intersectionality in the Workplace: Broadening the Lens of Inclusion (English)
Presenter: Elise Ahenkorah (she/her), Inclusion Strategist and Speaker, inclusion FACTOR
Description: For Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) efforts to be truly impactful, we all need to better understand and apply the concept of intersectionality to our workplaces. When some people face prejudice, the targeted characteristics overlap. This makes the experiences of discrimination or oppression unique. For example, a woman with autism an autistic woman, a woman of colour or an older transgender person can face prejudice due to their overlapping social identities. What’s more, how a woman of colour experiences gender discrimination is different from how a white woman will experience it.
May 11
More than a Rainbow: Cultivating 2SLGBTQIA+ Belonging at Work (English)
Presenter: Kelsey Brennan (she/her), Research Associate at Social Research and Demonstration Corporation, & Connor Pion (he/him, they/them), Senior Programs Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Description: This workshop will guide employers to a deeper understanding of what drives inequities for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the workplace. Exploring qualitative and quantitative data highlights from “Building the evidence base about economic, health, and social inequities faced by LGBTQ2S+ individuals in Canada,” attendees will be provided with practical steps they can take that are less performative and more impactful.
May 18
Towards Braiding: Two-Spirit and Indigenous Inclusion in the Workplace (English)
Presenter: Elwood Jimmy (he/him, they/them), Thunderchild First Nation
Description: In this webinar you will be guided to think through your expectations, your intentions, and the impact of your choices, when it comes to Indigenous and Two-Spirit inclusion in the workplace, and to think systemically how these are rooted in a larger social and historical context.
May 25
2SLGBTQIA+ Harassment in the Workplace (French)
Presenter: Olivia Baker (she/her), Program Manager, Fondation Émergence
Description: Together we will look at definitions of psychological and sexual harassment, examples of how these issues affect 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the workplace, as well as best practices for responding to harassment, both as a victim and as a witness.
January 12
Loving the Fire – Trauma Informed Conflict Engagement In the Workplace (English)
Presenter: Kai Cheng Thom (she/her), Writer, Performer & Community Worker
Description: This webinar explores trauma-informed, embodied approaches to conflict resolution and engagement. Kai Cheng Thom, MSc, Mediator and certified coach will explore connections between individual and collective trauma and conflict in organizations and marginalized communities. Participants will be invited to take part in (optional) experiential activities focused on developing an embodied conflict resolution toolkit, including meditation and movement, scenario analysis, role play, and group discussion.
January 26
Evolution of rights for LGBT+ families (French)
Presenter: Mona Greenbaum (she/her), Executive Director, LGBT+ Family Coalition
Description: In the 1990s, families with LGBTQ2+ parents were completely invisible in our society and had no legal recognition. However, over the course of only 25 years, LGBTQ2+ families in Quebec have acquired a number of rights, making our society one of the most pioneering in the world. This presentation by Mona Greenbaum, Executive Director of the LGBT+ Family Coalition, outlines key legislative and legal moments while providing examples of their impact on the lives of affected families.
February 16
FLOURISH: Leading Employee Resource Groups with Intention (English)
Presenter: Stella Samuels (they/them, she/her), Leadership Programs Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Description: Those who lead 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have an enormous opportunity to create change for queer and trans employees. They also face very specific challenges in Canadian workplaces. Join Stella Samuels, Leadership Programs Coordinator, visionary and designer of the FLOURISH curriculum and program, along with participants from the 2021 FLOURISH cohort as they revisit and review their experiences, lessons learned, and key takeaways that have resulted in impactful changes.
March 16
Responsible Use of Power (English)
Presenter: Cicely Belle Blain (they/them), CEO, Bakau Consulting
Description: Responsible Use of Power is a webinar that unpacks the nuances of systemic, personal and social power and explores how they can be used and misused in the workplace and in society at large. The session offers participants the opportunity to reflect on their own power and privilege. Led by the award winning educator and consultant Cicely Belle Blain, this training will be especially useful for those who are passionate about foster equitable spaces.
September 15
Systems Design for LGBTQ2+ Inclusion (English)
Presenter: Tara Robertson (she/her), Tara Robertson Consulting
Description: HR policies and procedures are not the only part of your business that should be seen through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion. Technology plays a major role in how inclusive an organization is for LGBTQ2+ employees and clients. During this webinar, Tara Robertson will outline best practices when designing systems, products and services to be inclusive of LGBTQ2+ people as well as how to review the current technological processes of your organization.
September 22
UNIE-LGBTQ Project Results (French)
Presenter: Martin Blais (he/him), Université du Québec à Montréal
Description: During the UNIE-LGBTQ Project Results Webinar, we will have the pleasure of welcoming Martin Blais, Research Chair on Sexual Diversity and Gender Plurality at the Université du Québec à Montréal, who will present the results of the Understanding Inclusion and Exclusion of LGBTQ People (UNIE-LGBTQ) project.
October 13
Diversifying Emerging Talent Pools (English)
Presenter: Brien K. Convery (he/him), National Director, Early Talent Communities and Inclusive Recruitment, Royal Bank of Canada
Description: Attracting the right talent for every job is a big challenge for employers. In this webinar, Brien K. Convery will speak about proven solutions from his experience as National Director, Early Talent Communities and Inclusive Recruitment, Canada for RBC. He will discuss how to engage LGBTQ2+ communities in recruitment processes and the specific challenges presented by engaging students and emerging talent. Millenials and Gen Z are more likely to work for a company that showcases their efforts to be LGBTQ2+ inclusive. Join Brien to learn how to make sure you are sending the right message.
November 17
Creating Space for Uncomfortable Conversations (English)
Presenter: B Adair (he/him), Founder, Just B Consulting
Description: One of the biggest inclusion challenges for many employers is how to communicate on the subjects gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Engaging on these topics can result in conversations that are uncomfortable for LGBTQ2+ employees and those working in allyship with them. Join diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professional B Adair (he/him) as he unpacks the importance of strong communication skills when navigating tough conversations, from a workplace DEI perspective.
In this session, case studies will be provided of how to talk to those who know little about LGBTQ2+ communities, as well as how to provide welcoming feedback. You’ll learn why diverse voices matter in the workplace and how to overcome “diversity fatigue”.Most of all, you’ll gain new skills and knowledge about maintaining a calm and open-minded approach to having difficult conversations.
November 24
Introduction to inclusive writing in French (French)
Presenter: Magali G. Fitzbay (she/they) & Alexandra Forget (she/her), Les 3 sex*
Description: What is inclusive writing? Why incorporate it, and where to start? This introductory workshop from Les 3 sex* and Club Sexu will help you learn the basics of inclusive writing! We will also attempt to debunk a few myths about inclusive writing, help participants understand the practice’s historical underpinnings, and provide a brief overview of some inclusive writing approaches and techniques.
July 7
We Demanded: Law, Employment, and LGBTQ2+ History (English)
Presenter: Lucie Handley-Girard (she/her), Archivist, The ArQuives
Description: The presentation will encompass a history of LGBTQ2+ Canada with a focus on Canadian LGBTQ2+ employment discrimination starting in the 1970s. Utilizing pieces of the ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives extensive collection archivist Lucie Handley-Girard will bring LGBTQ2+ history to light. The talk will highlight specific court cases that have changed the course of LGBTQ2+ rights in Canada, as well as instances of discrimination that have gotten less national media and legal traction but nevertheless showcase human rights violations, hate crimes, and the consequences of being out and outed in Canadian workplaces over time.
March 24
Re-branding & The Importance of Relevant Communications (French)
Presenter: Antoine Beaudoin Gentes (he/him) Chief Operating and Development Officer, Gender Creative Kids Canada
Description: The importance of developing an actual and clear image for a community organization or any project related to current issues. The organization’s French name, formerly “Enfants transgenres Canada,” was henceforth “Jeunes identités créatives” – their Development Director explains the process behind this change. After a collaborative internal reflection process around the objective of finding a name that would better embody the organization’s renewal and its revisited mission: “Jeunes identités créatives” presented itself and organically settled inside the hearts of the teams. Is your brand or business truly authentic to your core values? To give life to an organization, we must constantly work to strengthen and develop it.
April 14
Putting a Focus on Implementing Trans Inclusion (English)
Presenter: Kai Scott (he/him), President, and Hélène Frohard-Dourlent (they/she), Senior Strategist, TransFocus Consulting
Description: Do you want to hear from companies that are doing the in-depth work to support greater inclusion of gender diversity among employees and customers? You may wonder: What’s it like to do this work? What can I learn from these companies’ insights and ‘aha’ moments during implementation? What are the unique considerations, like cultural and systems factors as well as French translation? Join us for this candid and intimate fireside chat between Bell Canada and TransFocus Consulting to delve into these questions and more. You’ll leave having a more realistic idea of what is involved and what to expect to prepare for or affirm your company’s journey.
May 12
Supporting Parents of LGBTQ2+ Kids (English)
Presenter: Carmel Farahbakhsh (they/them), Executive Director, The Youth Project, and Kym Sweeney (she/her), Staff Lawyer, Nova Scotia Legal Aid
Description: Employees of Pride at Work Canada’s National and Regional Partner network are welcome to attend this facilitated conversation about parenting LGBTQ2+ kids, being a LGBTQ2+ parent, and creating safer, innovative, and more imaginative work spaces to support diverse families. Carmel Farahbakhsh is the Executive Director of the Youth Project, a Nova Scotian non-profit organization with the mission to build spaces for LGBTQ2+ youth to feel valued, celebrated, and cared for provincially, will be joined by a very special family to discuss current realities and dream luminous futures for LGBTQ2+ families locally. Kym Sweeney will be joined by her child Elliott in a conversation about their shared experiences and contrasting experiences in navigating school, work, and chosen family/community.
May 19
Demystifying Sexual Diversity and Gender Plurality – Being a Good Ally (French)
Presenter: Henri-June Pilote (they/them), Executive Director, AlterHéros
Description: How can we serve as good allies to our LGBTQ2+ colleagues? Is it appropriate to ask questions, and if so, how and in what context? How can we create more inclusive environments and have a greater impact on inclusion in the workplace? With LGBTQ2+ communities constantly evolving, how can we embrace these changes and stay on top of all these new realities? Join Henri-June Pilote, Executive Director of AlterHéros, as they discuss these issues in this national webinar for Pride at Work Canada partners.
January 13
Decolonizing Inclusion & Diversity (English)
Presenter: Sara Wolfe (she/her/they), Director, Indigenous Innovation Initiative at Grand Challenges Canada
Description: During this presentation, Sara Wolfe will discuss the opportunities to decolonize approaches to inclusion and diversity efforts, and the lived realities of Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Indigenous people in employment and service delivery. Integrating decolonization approaches into gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation inclusion will be more effective in creating organizational change. Concrete examples of how to integrate Indigenous ways of knowing into action.
January 20
Supporting Parents of Trans, Nonbinary, Gender Creative, and Genderfluid Kids (French)
Presenter: Annie Pullen Sansfaçon (she/her) (Ph.D. Ethics, Social work, DeMontfort University, UK), Associate Professor at the University of Montreal‘s School of Social Work
Description: The concept of being an “ally” is now in common parlance. How can I be an ally for my colleagues who have a trans, nonbinary, gender creative, and genderfluid child or who are in the process of coming out? How can we better support and help them? How do I correct myself when I make a mistake? Join us for a presentation that will allow you to better understand the experiences of oppression and resistance of trans, nonbinary, gender creative, and genderfluid youth and their families and learn best practices to support them.
February 17
Queer Teachings from Black Lives Matter (English)
Presenter: Cicely Belle Blain (they/them), CEO, Cicely Blain Consulting
Description: In this session Black Lives Matter Vancouver co-founder and former organizer, Cicely Belle Blain will discuss the importance of intersectionality in movement building and equity, diversity and inclusion work. Black Lives Matter has long been a champion of liberating all marginalized people and offers poignant and powerful teachings on intersectional liberation. Let’s unpack how these tools and teachings can translate into our workplaces, communities and shared spaces.
March 17
Mapping the Inclusion Continuum (English)
Presenter: Jefferson Darrell (he/him), Founder, Breakfast Culture
Description: Diversity & Inclusion is not just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a “must-have” if an organization is to achieve the highest standard of recruitment, performance and retention for viable, sustainable growth. BREAKFAST CULTURE’s Diversity and Inclusion Audit is a comprehensive measurement and analysis process to understand where your organization lies and how to move it along the DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Continuum*. This is one of the first steps towards cultivating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace culture. In this session you will learn about the DEI Continuum* and how Breakfast Culture uses current tools, including leading edge Employee Engagement Enterprise software and/or Global Diversity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDIB) to analyze where your organization currently resides on the DEI Continuum*.
*The Human Equity Advantage: Beyond Diversity to Talent Optimization, Wilson 2013