A 2021 study revealed that only 9.6% of financial sector employees identified as having a disability, compared to the national average of 27%. This disparity highlights the need for systemic change to ensure workplaces are inclusive and representative of people with disabilities (PWDs).

The Banking on Inclusion project is dedicated to helping empower the Canadian financial sector to create inclusive and representative workplaces for people with disabilities (PWDs). Expanding on the foundation laid by the Hire for Talent initiative, this bilingual, national project is dedicated to working with federally regulated financial institutions and service providers to drive meaningful change.

Our mission is to design and implement innovative online tools that:

• Raise awareness about the importance of inclusivity in financial workplaces.
• Identify and address barriers to accessible employment.
• Promote increased representation of PWDs, aligning with the mandates of the Canadian Employment Equity Act.

Through strategic partnerships and actionable solutions, Banking on Inclusion is paving the way for a more inclusive future in Canada’s financial sector.

Delivered by the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) Restigouche, this national project is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada through the 2022 Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity (WORBE) program.