What is Supplier Diversity?

• It is defined as reaching out to groups not traditionally included in the supply chain or within the purchasing process of major corporations.
• Some of these underrepresented groups include LGBT, Women, Minority, and Aboriginal owned businesses in Canada.
• Most multinational corporations require supplier diversity and require supplier diversity efforts from their tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers.
• Supplier diversity requires implementing a process to identify, certify, and match suppliers to procurement opportunities.
• To qualify for certification, a business must be 51%+ owned and operated by member/s of the identified diversity group (in the case of this program, a business must be 51%+ owned and operated by someone who self-identifies as LGBT).

Why is Supplier Diversity Important?

• The goal of supplier diversity is to level the playing field.
• Less than 5% of corporate spending in Canada can be identified as going to certified diverse suppliers.
• Supplier diversity started in the United States, and it is now spreading globally.
• Many companies have internal incentives for procurement managers in their companies to buy from diverse suppliers, such as LGBT owned businesses.
• Supplier diversity helps corporations develop inclusive supply chains, reflect their marketplace, meet corporate social responsibility goals in growing their community, capitalize on competitive advantage from innovative and flexible companies and save on purchasing operations.

Why should I certify my business?

• To help grow their business.
• To gain access to purchasing opportunities & contracts.
• To enhance competitiveness and build capacity.
• To learn from corporations and other business owners and to take advantage of mentorship opportunities.
• To network with other business owners and corporations.
• To support business development within the LGBT community.

Become a certified LGBT Business Enterprise through the CGLCC:

 

TAKE NOTE: Members of the Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce receive special certification application rates.

CERTIFICATION CRITERIA

The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) has developed standardized procedures to assure consistency in review and certification LGBT owned and operated businesses. In order to be certified by the CGLCC as an LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE), the applicant must satisfy the following criteria:

• The applicant must be a for-profit enterprise.
• The applicant must operate in Canada.
• The applicant must be a Canadian citizen.
• The applicant’s business may be of any size.
• The applicant must be able to operate as a supplier of products or services to other businesses.
• The applicant’s business must be substantially owned and controlled by LGBT individuals>
• For the purpose of certification by the CGLCC:
  • Ownership would mean that the business is at least 51% owned and operated by self-identified and verified LGBT individuals. In the case of publicly owned businesses, at least 51% of the company’s shares would have to be owned by one or more such individuals meeting the same criteria. Furthermore, the management and daily operations of these businesses must be controlled by LGBT individual/s.

Attend an LGBT Supplier Diversity Workshop to find out more!

Stay tuned for upcoming workshops.

 

CERTIFICATION PROCESS

 

Part 1 – CANDIDATE APPLICATION:

• The owner or general partner of a 51%+ owned and operated Canadian LGBT Business Enterprise(LGBTBE) must complete the CERTIFICATION APPLICATION and sign the DECLARATION OF LGBT STATUS FORM (below) and email both documents to office@cglcc.ca
• A cheque for the non-refundable processing fee – $200 for members of the Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce, or $400 for non-members, plus applicable GST/HST– must be sent to the CGLCC in order to process the certification:

• No supporting documents are required with the application. All information supplied is kept confidential.

• You will receive a notification confirming receipt of the application forms and cheque.

• LGBT Supplier Diversity Certification Application and Document Checklist (available here)

• Declaration of LGBT Status Form (available here)

Part 2 – REVIEW OF APPLICATION:

• Upon receipt, the CGLCC will review the candidate LGBTBE’s application to ensure completeness.
• If complete, the CGLCC will contact a trained assessor in the region where the candidate LGBTBE is based to schedule an onsite inspection. The candidate LGBTBE will be contacted to confirm the date/time, and sent a checklist for documents, reports and related information that must be readily available during the onsite inspection.
• If incomplete, the candidate LGBTBE will be notified and application will be returned for re-submission.

Part 3 – ONSITE ASSESSMENT:

• The CGLCC will coordinate an onsite assessment of the candidate LGBTBE to review company documentation and verify information in the application. This is also a great opportunity to learn more about your company, its products and services. The assessor will complete a report and a supporting document checklist,however they will not take or make copies of any documents.

Part 4 – CERTIFICATION:

• The assessor will send the completed assessment report and checklist to the CGLCC.
• If all requirements have been met, the CGLCC will approve the certification and notify the LGBTBE.
• The certified LGBTBE will be added to the CGLCC website and national database, and basic contact and company information will be provided to CGLCC’s network of organizations seeking vendors and business partners.
• The certification is valid for one year, upon which time a certification renewal is required.
• If all certification requirements have not been met, the CGLCC will notify the candidate LGBTBE that their application has been declined (with reasons identified). No refund is provided.

 

For more information contact:
Robert Wolf
Program Manager, Supplier Diversity
Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
ATTN: Supplier Diversity Certification
77 Maitland Place # 1705
Toronto, ON M4Y 2V6

robert@cglcc.ca

 

National Corporate Members of the CGLCC have the exclusive opportunity to support and grow the LGBT Supplier Diversity Program. Please contact us for more information, partnership options and benefits.

Industry Partners:

• Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC)
• • Certifies Aboriginal and minority-owned business enterprises
• WBE Canada
• • Certifies women-owned business enterprises
• Toronto 2015 Pan/Para Pan Am Games
• Pride at Work Canada
• National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (USA)
• Affiliate LGBT Business Organizations
• Travel Gay Canada

Visit www.cglcc.cafor more program information, upcoming events and updates.