TIMMINS, ON: Northern College is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of five national hubs for increasing equity, diversity and inclusion across Canada with Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) with funding from Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada.

The 50 – 30 Challenge is designed to encourage Canadian organizations to aspire to two goals: achieving gender parity (50 per cent women and/or non-binary people) and creating significant representation (30 per cent) of racialized groups, people of colour, those with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ and Indigenous peoples on senior management and governing teams.

“We are so pleased to have been selected as one of five training hubs for this initiative,” stated Dr. Audrey Penner, President & CEO of Northern College. “We have done a foundation of work in this important area for Northern and look to play a larger role nationally in helping achieve the goals of a more equitable Canada,” she added.

Northern College, alongside Fanshawe, College Boreal, Northern Lights College and Cégep Marie-Victorin will serve as national regional training and consulting hubs for CICan’s 50 – 30 Challenge project, delivering supports will help provide a roadmap to equality for organizations across the country.’

“We are so pleased that Northern College will be joining our work on the 50 – 30 Challenge as one of CICan’s 50 – 30 Challenge Hubs! Colleges and institutes are already deeply engaged in their communities across the country,” stated Denise Amyot, President & CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada. “Northern College has demonstrated their commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and we are thrilled that their passion and dedication to EDI will have an impact on businesses and organizations across the county. Congratulations!”

With over 1,800 Canadian organizations already signed up to undertake this national challenge, and new joiners being added as the movement grows, Northern College is uniquely positioned to help lead the way to a new and more equitable tomorrow for Canadian employers and, most importantly employees.

“This is such a unique and rewarding opportunity for us as individuals and as an institution,” stated Susan Hunter, Chief Cultural Officer at Northern College. “The future is one built on equity, diversity and inclusion, so building on our growing diverse community, while honouring the First Peoples here on these lands, is a powerful combination. We are dedicated to finding ways in which we can join with others to help create a better workplace, region, and country.”

Staffing for the initiative continues as the initial reach-out to participants has begun. The project will be funded until March 31, 2024 by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada.