What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)?
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion defines DEI as follows: Diversity is about the individual. It is about the variety of unique dimensions, qualities and characteristics we all possess. Inclusion is about the collective. It is about creating a culture that strives for equity and embraces, respects, accepts and values difference. Equity is the principle of considering people’s unique experiences and differing situations, and ensuring they have access to the resources and opportunities that are necessary for them to attain just outcomes.
What is supplier diversity?
Supplier diversity is a business program that encourages the use of diverse-owned businesses as suppliers. It is the process of corporations reaching out to suppliers not traditionally included in the supply chain who want to compete for contracts.
In 2022, as a commitment to SMEs and Inclusive Trade of the Honorouble Minister Mary Ng and Secretaria Raquel Buenrostro under the Canada-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue, the Embassy of Canada in Mexico commissioned the study “Diversification of Suppliers in Mexico: Towards better inclusion of SMEs”. Key findings include:
- The existence of significant efforts in the Mexican business environment towards diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) including with regards to suppliers.
- The need for closer collaboration in Mexico for increased representation of underrepresented SMEs so they come to light and are included in supply chains of large national and international companies.
- Canada and Mexico should work together in promoting the importance and benefits of supplier diversity in both countries and encourage commitment to DEI by all business actors.
As the Embassy of Canada embarks on phase II of its Supplier diversity project, it is committed to:
- The dissemination of the Diversification of Suppliers in Mexico: Towards better inclusion of SMEs report findings locally through outreach and presentations;
- The expansion of our network of private sector contacts active in the DEI and more specifically supplier diversity space;
- Mapping existing policies and practices with concrete data and categorize them by type of enterprise and type of opportunity that this may represent for both Canadian and Mexican SMEs;
- Identification of policies or programs that particularly favor women or women-led businesses;
- An in-person Canada-Mexico business forum focused on diverse suppliers