Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to be in rooms with leaders, practitioners, and community members across the country, and one thing has stood out to me.
The conversations are changing. Not in their importance, that has always been clear, but in their depth and complexity.
I’ve heard leaders talk about the tension of wanting to move this work forward while navigating shifting expectations. I’ve heard practitioners reflect on the challenge of sustaining momentum when the environment feels uncertain. And I’ve also heard a continued, strong commitment to building workplaces where people can truly belong. In complex times, progress depends on our willingness to stay in conversation, keep learning, and move forward together with courage and care. That is why I am so encouraged by what lies ahead.
In the weeks since CCDI UnConference 2026, I have found myself reflecting on the experience, especially as it was my first as President and CEO. Seeing it come together from the inside was both powerful and revealing. The insight and generosity of keynote speakers Kim Thúy and Rayhan Azmat, the grounding shared by Elder Syex̱wáliya (Ann Whonnock), the support of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, and the thoughtful engagement of our community all contributed to a gathering that felt deeply meaningful. It was a timely reminder that belonging is not built in easy moments alone.
These moments have stayed with me, because they reflect where many organizations are right now — not at the beginning of the journey, but in the middle of it. Moving from intention to action. From action to impact.
This spring, we will begin DEIA Pathways, one of CCDI’s newest learning programs, with the first English course starting April 6 and the first French course starting June 1. We are also proud to support WAGE’s Unity Campaign and help share resources and conversations that can strengthen inclusion across workplaces and communities.
I invite you to explore this edition for more on these initiatives and the work we are continuing together.
With gratitude,
Sartaj Sarkaria
President and CEO
To our distinguished speakers, Employer Partners, allies, and attendees, thank you for making CCDI UnConference 2026 such a powerful and inspiring experience. Your commitment to collaboration, learning, and action helped bring to life this year’s theme, Belonging in complex times: Equity and courage at work. Together we shared ideas, built connections and unpacked the work needed for meaningful progress. We are grateful to be on this journey with you.
Greater impact through sponsorship
A special thank you to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation for the sponsorship, which allowed us to extend our reach and make this UnConference experience accessible to a broader audience.
Take the next step to position yourself as a diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility change maker with the CCDI DEIA Pathways program. This fundamental course is designed to equip you with practical tools, real-world insights, and the skills you need to champion and build workplace initiatives. With curated tracks to accommodate various learning styles, this program ensures learners not only grasp essential concepts but also have the opportunity to practice and apply skills effectively in real-world situations. Registration is closing soon.
Your diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) experience deserves recognition. Join our free virtual open house to learn about the amazing new, revitalized CCIP designates program. In this informative session, you will discover how the CCIP.D™ certification demonstrates the breadth and depth of your DEIA experience, helping you to stand out in a competitive DEIA market.
Event: CCIP.D™ open house
Registration closing: April 20
Location: Virtual
Date: April 21, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. ET
The CCIP.D™ certification process is the only professional designation that assesses DEIA knowledge and experience against a rigorous competency framework. Join us to learn exactly what the certification involves, whether you qualify, and how to take the next step to connect with a network of DEIA professionals.
What does real leadership look like when the goal is not just delivering services, but building a community where people feel seen and supported?
In the debut season of Leader Talks Podcast with Sartaj Sarkaria, CHRL, we sit down with Marina Boulos-Winton to discuss nonprofit leadership and the systems that shape opportunities. Marina shares how early experiences with social injustice influenced her career path, what she learned through crisis-line and youth support work and how those lessons inform her leadership today.
Tune in to hear how community-centred leadership can move beyond intent and create meaningful change with Marina Boulos-Winton. Available now at your preferred podcast platforms, or visit us at: https://ccdi.ca/en/podcast
Moving from awareness to action: Utilizing the Unity campaign to support workplace inclusion
Building an inclusive workplace isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. Research shows that environments lacking inclusion and equity may contribute to higher turnover, lower morale, and reduced innovation. To help strengthen inclusion across communities and organizations, Women and Gender Equality Canada created the Unity campaign, a suite of free, evidence-based resources designed to support practical, everyday allyship.
Inclusion must be intentional and informed, and the Unity campaign offers a clear and accessible framework. It helps challenge stigma, deepen understanding, and strengthen allyship with 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada.
The DEIA implications of Bill 27 in Quebec: Everything you need to know
Quebec’s Bill 27 is reshaping how organizations understand workplace health and safety by putting mental health on equal footing with physical safety. As of October 6, 2025, employers must recognize and prevent psychosocial risks such as stress, harassment, and work overload as part of their legal obligations. Beyond compliance, Bill 27 now acts as a catalyst for more inclusive, equitable, and psychologically safe workplaces across Quebec.
Discover how this reform strengthens DEIA, enhances accessibility, and transforms organizational culture for employees and leaders alike.
Open position
Board of Directors opportunity
The Governance and People Committee of the Board of Directors of CCDI is currently seeking applications to join the CCDI Board of Directors. In this capacity, directors will be responsible for oversight of CCDI’s activities, exercising duty of diligence and care to ensure CCDI achieves its strategic, financial, and operational objectives, while upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
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.
.png?upscale=true&width=388&upscale=true&name=CCDI%20Logo%20-%20Horizontal%20-%20White%20(1).png)
