Memberships in certification groups another step in MLSE’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
MLSE announced strategic partnerships with three organizations today to promote procurement from diverse suppliers and to ensure the company’s suppliers are committed to the same equity, diversity and inclusion values. MLSE will join as a member of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC), Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada) as an important step in its equity, diversity and inclusion strategy, which includes its recently implemented Supplier Code of Conduct (SCC).
“Part of MLSE’s efforts to address systemic racism and promote social justice, both in the industry and in our community, is aligning with businesses who share the same commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Teri Dennis-Davies, Senior Vice President, People and Inclusion at MLSE. “Working with CAMSC, CGLCC and WBE Canada allows us to identify those businesses and partner with suppliers who are benefiting from these organizations’ expertise, guidance and certification models.”
CAMSC champions business relationships and economic growth of the Canadian supply chain through the inclusion of Aboriginals and Minority suppliers, while CGLCC advocates for LGBT+ owned and operated businesses across the country, and WBE Canada opens doors for Canadian women-owned businesses to supply chains across Canada, North America and globally. Each group is dedicated to helping identify and certify businesses that meet the qualifications laid out by CAMSC, CGLCC and WBE Canada.
“MLSE's membership with CAMSC recognizes the opportunities for innovation, competitiveness and community engagement by expanding opportunities for aboriginal and minority suppliers in the supply chain." commented Cassandra Dorrington, President of CAMSC. "We are delighted to be working with MLSE and the impact their commitment will undoubtedly make on the wide variety of Aboriginal and minority suppliers serving the sports and entertainment sector."
“MLSE and Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) share a common value of wanting to elevate LGBT+ businesses and foster greater diversity and inclusion across Canada’s economy. That is why we are so excited to announce MLSE as one of our newest Corporate Members, who will help us further build programming and opportunities that positively impact LGBT+ entrepreneurs,” said Darrell Schuurman, Co-Founder and CEO of CGLCC. “This year more than ever we rely on supportive business leaders, like MLSE, to help rebuild our economy and help diverse suppliers sustain and grow their businesses. The commitment that MLSE has made to leading the fight against systemic racism and increasing social injustices faced by many marginalized communities is incredible and we are honoured to work alongside them for years to come.
“We are thrilled to welcome MLSE as our newest Corporate Member. They are our first corporate member in the sports and entertainment sector and while I hope that other leaders in this industry sector will follow their lead, I want to comment on the significance of this commitment to supporting Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) especially now as businesses across Canada feel the impact of the pandemic,” said Silvia Pencak, President of WBE Canada, “MLSE's commitment to achieve greater diversity and inclusion in their supply chain will have a remarkable impact on the growth and recovery of Canadian WBEs. We look forward to partnering with them in creating a more diverse and inclusive supply chain and increasing the involvement of Canada’s women-owned businesses in procurement opportunities.”
The SCC has been distributed to our suppliers and they are expected to comply with the policy as a condition of their ongoing relationship with MLSE. The company also plans to launch a Supplier Diversity Program that will strive to strengthen the organization and provide better opportunities for diverse businesses by improving inclusion practices in supplier selection.