OPINION: To Build A Stronger Canadian Economy, We Must Run Toward Inclusion, Not Away From It

CGLCC’s CEO Darrell Schuurman explains why we need to run toward DEI, not away from it…

By Darrell Schuurman

At a time when global markets are volatile, trade relationships are shifting, and smaller enterprises in Canada face increasing pressure, the question we must ask ourselves isn’t whether we can afford to invest in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) — it’s whether we can afford not to.

Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs are not a niche group. They are an essential, yet often overlooked, part of our national economy. With over 100,000 2SLGBTQI+-owned businesses contributing more than $22 billion in economic activity and employing over 435,000 Canadians, these entrepreneurs are not just participating in Canada’s economic story, they are helping write its future.

While some businesses and political leaders in the US are damaging our economy with tariffs, and attacking human rights, we have a special opportunity to lead with Canadian values. 

The Canadian economy needs more entrepreneurs, and more innovation but we have our own challenges here at home. One-third of 2SLGBTQI+ business owners report hiding their identity due to fear of discrimination. A quarter say they’ve lost contracts because of who they are. When entrepreneurs feel unsafe or unsupported, they hold back: from capital, from risk-taking, from scaling. And that has direct consequences for Canada’s economy.

We know that innovation thrives when we bring together people with different experiences, ideas, and worldviews. That’s why we need to run toward DEI, not away from it.

And this is exactly what we’re doing at Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). As federal and provincial governments continue working to both lower internal trade barriers while diversifying global trade, we’re helping advance that momentum. 

For example, this May CGLCC led its first-ever Domestic Trade Mission, bringing 21 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs to Vancouver to attend WebSummit, Canada’s largest tech conference. These delegates represent some of the most promising and resilient innovators from across Canada’s queer business community, and they are poised to scale, hire, and export their products and services both at home and around the world.

Interprovincial trade accounts for nearly 19% of Canada’s GDP. By reducing domestic trade barriers and enabling underrepresented entrepreneurs to grow their reach within Canada, we strengthen national supply chains, create good jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth.

This June, CGLCC is hosting the 2SLGBTQI+ Global Business Summit in Toronto, bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from around the world through our international network of queer Chambers of Commerce. Summits like these matter. They generate real economic activity. They help businesses access new markets and investors. And they send a powerful message that Canada’s economy is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table.

One of the most significant investments in this work came from the federal government through the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program. This $25M in funding allowed CGLCC to expand its reach, to support more entrepreneurs through training, mentorship, and market access. We supported over 680 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, representing a diverse range of business owners from coast to coast. We also launched a national Knowledge Hub to collect and disseminate critical research and information. As an underdeveloped field of research, 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and businesses lack equitable access to support systems, business opportunities, and resourceful information. It was a bold and necessary step toward inclusive and accelerated economic growth — and the impact has been undeniable.

The return on investing in inclusive economic development is proven. Diverse teams outperform. Inclusive businesses are more resilient. Communities are strengthened. And 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs are already showing us what’s possible.

If we want to build a stronger Canada, we must ensure that every entrepreneur has the opportunity to contribute fully, not despite who they are, but because of it. Let’s meet this moment with leadership, courage, and real investment.

Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is the nation’s largest queer-business organization. The CGLCC links 2SLGBTQI+ businesses in Canada to the wider business and corporate community. It fosters economic growth by supporting and nurturing 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, entrepreneurs, students, and allies, and by helping Canada’s corporate world connect with the 2SLGBTQI+ business community. For more information, visit www.cglcc.ca.