Welcoming Workplaces: Additional Resources

A variety of tools and resources can help in efforts to foster welcoming, inclusive workplaces for all. The list below includes links to a variety of organizations and services – located both in Unama’ki – Cape Breton and further afield – that can provide support. 

If you know of a helpful resource that is missing from this list, please use the form at the bottom of this page to share. 

Nova Scotia Works – Welcoming Workplaces

Nova Scotia Works provides resources organized into four pillars of strengthening welcoming and inclusive workplaces: commitment, hiring practices, employees, and partnerships and supports. 

Nova Scotia Works – Welcoming Workplaces

Consultants and Trainers in Unama’ki – Cape Breton

  • Membertou Heritage Park
    Mi’kmaw education (history, culture, etc)
    Location: Membertou First Nation
    902-567-5333 Ext: 6129 or 902-562-0444 Ext: 6128
  • Veronica Merryfield
    2SLGBTQI+ trainer, consultant, advocate, and activist. Focus on HR topics, policy, investigations, and workplace assessments
    Location: Cape Breton Regional Municipality
    veronica@merryfield.ca

Are you an EDIA consultant, trainer, or expert and would like to be added to this list? Please complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Resources for Employers 

2SLGBTQIA+ Resources

Cape Breton Youth Project: A non-profit charitable organization supporting youth identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+ in Unama’ki – Cape Breton through programs and services including educational workshops. The Cape Breton Youth Project also provides education that is available to employers.

  • Local Professional Development Sessions:
    • Cape Breton Coordinator: madonna@youthproject.ns.ca / 902-578-5801
    • Cape Breton Educator: sefin@youthproject.ns.ca

Cape Breton Transgender Network: An organization supporting, and advocating for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Cape Breton Transgender network can provide education on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), in general and with a focus on topics related to the transgender community or the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as a whole.

Pride Eskasoni: A not-for-profit supporting the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Eskasoni. Click here for a 2SLGBTQ+ Glossary of Terms.

50-30 Challenge (What Works Toolkit): Your Diversity Advantage: A toolkit created to support Canadian organizations in implementing initiatives focused on equity and diversity to in turn pursue inclusion of members of equity-deserving groups in the workplace. Resources are included to help employers pursue the 50-30 challenge.

Black Business Initiative: A business development organization supporting businesses in Atlantic Canada that are owned by individuals in the Black community. BBI offers several programs and services designed to assist start-up companies and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Black community as well as growing and established companies.

Canadian Association for Supported Employment (CASE): A national association focusing on the inclusion of persons with a disability in the workforce. Employment services are available to various stakeholders including employers, service providers and allies in the community. Sample resources include the HR Inclusive Policy Toolkit which is made up of various toolkits focusing on inclusive workplaces, accessibility, job descriptions and more.

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI): An organization that utilizes research to support employers to become inclusive. A variety of resources and events are available to employers.

Diversity Employment Network: A network focusing on inclusion in the workforce of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour through employment supports for members of those equity-deserving groups while working with businesses, community organizations and government associations for this intent. Supports are available for job seekers and employers. Services for employers include recruitment services, workplace diversity coaching and board governance training.

Employer Engagement Specialists

YMCA Cape Breton- Nova Scotia Works: An organization that provides a variety of services including free employer supports via Employer Engagement Specialists. Services include training, workforce planning, human resources assistance and more.

Le Conseil de development economique de la Nouvelle-Ecosse: A not-for-profit organization that provides a variety of services including supporting employers with employee recruitment and retention through the assistance of Employer Engagement Specialists.  Intercultural competency workshops are also available. Services are focused on Acadian and Francophone communities.

Northside Employment and Resource Centre: An organization that provides a variety of services including free employer supports via an Employer Engagement Specialist. An Employer Engagement Specialist can assist with the development of competency-based job descriptions, recruitment and referral of potential candidates, employment maintenance support and retention and more.

Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus): Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) is a tool used to ensure initiatives like policies or programs are inclusive and responsive to diverse needs. It helps identify who is impacted, how to tailor efforts to those groups, and how to reduce barriers to access or benefit.

Immigration Resources

Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration (CBICI): An organization that provides services to help newcomers settle in Unama’ki – Cape Breton. CBICI works to orient, support, connect, advocate on behalf of, and otherwise meet the needs of newcomers in service of their successful settlement in Cape Breton.

YREACH (YMCA OF Greater Halifax/Dartmouth): A program of the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth provides client-centered supports to help newcomers and their families settle and integrate in the community in addition to support for employers, and more.

Immigration Francophone de la Nouvelle-Écosse: An organization that provides immigration services for francophones immigrating to Nova Scotia. Services are available for permanent residents, temporary residents or individuals interested in immigrating to Canada. Support is provided pre- and post-arrival.

Cape Breton Local Immigration Partnership: An initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership that brings together newcomer-serving organizations across the Island to develop and implement strategies for fostering welcoming and inclusive communities. Check out the CBLIP Belonging is for Everyone campaign. 

Cape Breton Partnership: Immigration supports: Services available through the Cape Breton Partnership that provide support and guide employers on the Atlantic Immigration Program, employment-based streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, high-level immigration advice, answer immigration questions for employers and immigration candidates, and provide guidance on processes such as the Labour Market Impact Assessments and the Global Talent Stream.

Cape Breton Welcome Network: An initiative of the Cape Breton Partnership that welcomes newcomers to help them settle on the Island through various welcoming events and initiatives in communities across Unama’ki – Cape Breton.

Government of Nova Scotia – Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration: Through the Government of Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration stream, provides direction to employers and individuals on the appropriate programs or resources based on their needs or inquiries.

Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS): A non-profit organization that supports immigrants to settle and integrate in communities in Nova Scotia through various services. Additional services are provided to employers across Nova Scotia to attract and retain immigrant talent and make workplaces inclusive for immigrants.

World Education Services: A non-profit social enterprise focused on providing assistance to achieve goals in the realm of education and careers for refugees, immigrants and international students in Canada and the United States through various ways including immigrant integration. An employer playbook is available with resources on recruiting, hiring, onboarding and integrating immigrants.

National Playbook

Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS): An organization focusing on the Community Impact Sector in Nova Scotia by making connections, advocacy and providing supports in areas including workforce challenges and more.

Inclusion Nova Scotia: A not-for-profit organization that is provincial in scope serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families by providing supports. Through their work Inclusion Nova Scotia creates resources to ensure inclusion in various environments including the workplace.

Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia: A charitable organization that provides law-focused supports including resources and information for individuals living in Nova Scotia. Examples of resources include online training, cultural competence videos on various topics including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Micropedia: A resource created through the collaborative efforts of the Black Business and Professional Association, Canadian Congress on Inclusive Diversity and Workplace Equity, TED Rogers School of Management Diversity Institute and Pride at Work Canada. This continuously evolving resource highlights microaggressions experienced by a various equity-deserving groups and various classifications such as age, religion, etc.

Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission: An independent government agency in Nova Scotia that serves all Nova Scotians and diverse communities with a focus on the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act. Resources are available for employers in this scope.

Whose Land: A web-based app produced through collaborative efforts to help inform and educate individuals on the Indigenous land on which we reside (Canada). You can learn more about the Indigenous Nations, Territories and Indigenous communities specific to where you reside in Canada. This information and more can be found on the Whose Land page.

Workplace Inclusion Charter: A compilation of free resources for Workplace Inclusion for employers.

Visit the Welcoming Workplaces Page & Videos

Click here to submit an addition/edit to this page

Last Modified: June 6, 2025