Welcome to the August edition of Diversity Ink. We are delighted to spotlight two guest bloggers this month.
Harrison Browne is the first transgender athlete in professional hockey, co-author of “Let Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes”, filmmaker of PINK LIGHT (TIFF50) and actor in Heated Rivalry, the breakout Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ hockey romance series.
Heather McCain (they/them) is the Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society. Their lived experience as an asexual, disabled, neurodivergent, queer, and trans person informs their work as an advocate, educator, and speaker.
We have also recently added to our Provincial DEIA legislation guides.
Also mark your calendar for an upcoming Community of Practice event in your city. As always, we’re sharing our latest resources and training opportunities to support your DEIA journey.
Explore inspiring stories, ideas, and meaningful conversations this month.
The CCDI team
Today's volatility has produced the most complex environment for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) professionals. The expectations to strengthen inclusion, influence organizational culture, and guide meaningful change are much more challenging amidst shrinking budgets, growing resistance, and shifting priorities.
Much of DEIA work was built for stable environments. But many workplaces no longer feel stable. Practitioners are being asked to hold strategy, culture, conflict, and care while the ground keeps moving beneath them.
Take this unique opportunity to join DEIA professionals from across Canada at this timely Community of Practice. Through open discussions, knowledge sharing, and practical insights, you'll discover how adaptive approaches can be operationalized to respond to tension, complexity, and constant change with greater clarity and intention.
Join the conversation. Learn more and register for an in-person or virtual session today.
Browse through CCDI’s Provincial DEIA legislation guides. You can access a foundation to go beyond compliance and proactively build workplace policies, practices, and cultures that prioritize safety, inclusion, and equity.
Our latest blog written by Heather McCain, founder and Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society (LET'S), explores why building responsible AI requires more than technical innovation. It calls for an approach rooted in justice, care, and meaningful accountability, while recognizing the lived experiences of those most affected by these technologies.
Read the blog and join the conversation grounded in care, complexity, and accountability.
In this month’s blogpost, our guest Harrison Browne, the first transgender athlete in professional hockey, co-author of “Let Us Play: Winning the Battle for Gender Diverse Athletes”, filmmaker of PINK LIGHT (TIFF50) and actor who played Connor in an episode of the TV show Heated Rivalry, brings us on his journey of finding self through sport.
He shares how sport saved his life and gave him an identity beyond gender; an opportunity he believes all young people—especially trans and nonbinary youth—deserve. As a filmmaker, he championed trans representation on and off camera, showing how owning his story can empower others. As an author, he uses storytelling to challenge perceptions and affirm that trans people deserve equal treatment.
Fatphobia, or weight stigma, is bias or discrimination against fat people, often framed as concern for individual or public health. It includes stereotypes that fat people are unattractive, lazy, unintelligent, or undisciplined and can lead to harassment, bullying, body shaming, microaggressions, negative media portrayals, and employment discrimination. Explore CCDI’s resources on unlearning fatphobia to learn more.
Educational resources on disability and accessibility
Advance your learning with the Disability and Accessibility educational resource guide. This curated collection of resources and tools is organized into key topics including foundational concepts of disability and accessibility, the Canadian context, inclusive and accessible workplaces, inclusive language, and more. Designed to support learning, advocacy, and action, this guide offers a starting point for employers working to improve workplace practices and individuals looking to build awareness and understanding.
Championing Disability Equity Together with Jeff Tiessen
In the latest episode of Leader Talks with Sartaj Sarkaria, we sit down with Jeff Tiessen, Executive Producer of Mindset DEI and President & Publisher of Disability Today. Jeff shares his journey as a double amputee, athlete, father, and leader. He explains how his lived experience has shaped his career, leadership, and commitment to disability equity.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on resilience, leadership, and building a more inclusive future. Available now on your preferred podcast platforms or visit ccdi.ca/en/podcast.
Together we are shaping more equitable workplaces, schools and communities through our Employer Partners, moving towards a truly inclusive Canada. Join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest Employer Partners.
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