Statement to our Proud Partners

To our Proud Partners,

I’m reaching out to you, our valued network, because our community is in crisis. The anti-gender movement is intensifying its attacks on queer and trans people in Canada. For weeks, I’ve been hearing from employees across the country. Some are concerned, others terrified.

Your leadership as a Proud Partner has never been more vital. As an employer committed to human rights, reaffirming your place in our network is essential because:

• Human rights are non-negotiable. These are legal obligations, not optional corporate values. Proactively taking steps to reinforce human rights goes a long way to prevent anti-queer and anti-trans rhetoric from causing harm in your workplace.
• Traditional “DEI” language is now a liability. Once-benign words like “inclusion” and “belonging” have been distorted and burdened with negative connotations. While your responsibility under human rights law remains, it’s wise to reframe efforts using terminology that is more unifying (at this divisive time).
• We are in a crisis. Neutral messaging isn’t enough. Our closest neighbor’s domestic policy denies queer and trans existence. Your employees need to know they are seen and valued. Silence isolates. Your support makes a difference.

Pride at Work Canada/Fierté au travail Canada is working around the clock to provide our Proud Partners with the tools you will need to navigate today’s ideological challenges. We’ll be releasing a toolkit soon. In the meantime, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

I encourage you to have direct conversations with your teams. Let them know where you stand; that their rights are non-negotiable, and that you will actively defend their safety and well-being.

Download Proud Partner network resources now.

There’s nothing controversial about reminding your employees that they belong to a Proud Partner network that stands for human rights. At a time when the message we’re hearing is that we don’t belong, your workforce needs to hear from you that they do.

Your individual leadership makes a significant impact. But we will achieve more by working together. Thank you for being a part of our network.

In Solidarity,
Colin Druhan (he/him)
Executive Director

This situation is evolving. If you need support or guidance, please reach out to us at crisis@prideatwork.ca.