Edmonton chamber promotes diversity as means to fill labour shortage

Edmonton’s Chamber of Commerce is trying to address a labour shortage by creating a more diverse workforce.
“Diversity on the worksite lends itself to increased productivity. That has been demonstrated to be a fact,” said Dennis Gane, manager of business development with the chamber.  “A diverse workforce brings new ideas and understanding.”

The plan stems from the chamber’s top five Workforce Priorities.

The goal is to develop a more diverse and inclusive business community.

Gane said Edmonton’s business community is facing a labour shortage and it’s important to look to diverse communities for potential new employees.

“The question we ask ourselves is, ‘Are we tapping into all the available labour within our community?’”

Gane saidthe chamber is specifically targeting the Aboriginal population, Edmonton’s fastest growing demographic. Gane also noted that a large number of Aboriginal people are moving off reserve and into the city. Edmonton has the second highest urban Aboriginal population in the country, second only to Winnipeg.

Gane said the first step in creating a more diverse work environment is to address racism.

“We need to address the myths and stereotypes so we can start moving forward,” said Gane. “Being more aware reduces the chances of racism to surface.”

The chamber has been facilitating cross-cultural training sessions for Edmonton employers to learn more about Aboriginal people.

“We give them an introduction to the history and get them to start talking in a circle.”

Gane added it can be difficult for some Aboriginal people, specifically those who are new to the city, to feel accepted in a work place. He hopes the chamber’s diversity plan will help make Aboriginal people feel like they belong.

“We can open the doors and open the minds of the business community to be more receptive.”

Gane said the greatest challenge is for small business owners who may not have the resources to develop a diversity strategy.

However, the chamber can offer support by connecting business owners with organizations focused on employment, skills, and training for Aboriginal people.
Gane said although the chamber does not track the number of diverse employees, he feels the program so far is successful.

“The fact is that companies are actually developing policy and actually saying they need to be targeting specific groups because this creates diversity on the worksite which lends itself to increased productivity,” he said.

Gane admitted there are challenges. He said focusing too much on political correctness can sometimes make people wary of asking questions.

He also said it is difficult addressing the diversity within the Aboriginal community since each Aboriginal person’s culture and life experience can be quite different.

Overall, Gane said the chamber is taking steps in the right direction to make the city’s business community more inclusive.

“We are finding that from our point of view the response to the chamber connecting with Aboriginal groups has been positive and very welcoming. We look forward to fostering that growth.”