News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
OUT for Business (OFB) Mentorship Program
OUT For Business (OFB) is Canada's only national mentorship program for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, offering support through one-on-one and group mentoring sessions.
The program connects experienced business leaders with the next generation of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, fostering knowledge exchange and network building.
Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 cohort. This 10-month program encourages participation from individuals with intersecting identities.
For more information about OFB, contact Idara Effiom, Mentorship Manager, at idara.effiom@cglcc.ca.
Resources for Canada Pride Season (June to September)
Pride Season refers to the wide range of Pride events that take place over the summer (June to September) when LGBTQ2 communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of LGBTQ2 communities.
Learn how to get involved as a business, including events, social media assets, the Rainbow Registered Business Directory, and LBGTQ2 project funding for non-profit organizations.
Pride Season is a term that refers to the wide range of Pride events that take place over the summer (June to September) when LGBTQ2 communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of LGBTQ2 communities.
Canadians are invited to share messages of solidarity for LGBTQ2 people using the hashtag #Pride2022, and use your channels to celebrate the advocates, survivors, and community leaders who continue to shape Canada’s diversity and inclusivity.
Rainbow Registered Program by Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce and Tourism HR Canada
Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for LGBT+ friendly businesses and organizations. The Rainbow Registered symbol signifies that the business or organization meets a stringent set of standards to ensure LGBT+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted.
Accredited businesses will receive:
Rainbow Registered Welcome Kit (window decal, desk card)
Basic listing and map inclusion in the Rainbow Registered business directory
Website badge
Access to CGLCC Associate Member Benefits
Visit the Rainbow Registered Business Directory & Travel Stories →
LGBTQ2 Project Funding
Not-for-profit Canadian organizations that work primarily or entirely with LGBTQ2 communities can apply for funding to support actions in one or more of the following areas:
Policies and practices
Knowledge, tools, and support
Norms, attitudes, and behaviours
Authority, voice, and decision-making
Increasing impact through cross-sector collaboration
Research Study: Access and Equity for LGBTQ2S+ Businesses in Canada
CGLCC, in partnership with the Diversity Institute at Ryerson University, is conducting a research study to explore LGBTQ2S+ business ownership in Canada, including trends and support needs of these organizations, as well as both economic and social challenges faced by LGBTQ2S+ entrepreneurs.
Participant Eligibility Criteria:
Participants must self-identify as LGBTQ2S+ and must be a founder or owner of a business that operates in Canada. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. 30 participants will be asked to participate.
CGLCC, in partnership with the Diversity Institute at Ryerson University, is conducting a research study to explore LGBTQ2S+ business ownership in Canada, including trends and support needs of these organizations, as well as both economic and social challenges faced by LGBTQ2S+ entrepreneurs.
Participant Eligibility Criteria:
Participants must self-identify as LGBTQ2S+ and must be a founder or owner of a business that operates in Canada. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. 30 participants will be asked to participate.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Survey of Marketers
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in partnership with the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA), invites marketers to participate in the second Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Survey of Marketers.
The purpose of the research is to understand how diverse, equitable and inclusive the Canadian marketing community is for individuals at all stages of their careers. The findings will help CMA understand how they can cultivate an environment that is inclusive, respectful and supportive of all.
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in partnership with the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA), invites marketers to participate in the second Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Survey of Marketers.
The purpose of the research is to understand how diverse, equitable and inclusive the Canadian marketing community is for individuals at all stages of their careers. The findings will help CMA understand how they can cultivate an environment that is inclusive, respectful and supportive of all.
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce Launches Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) has announced the new national Rainbow Registered accreditation program to help consumers and prospective employees to more easily identify LGBT+ friendly businesses across Canada. Business can complete the program in one week, at which point businesses will be able to promote themselves as a Rainbow Registered organization, access CGLCC member benefits, and be included in the Rainbow Registered business directory for consumers.
For a limited time, the first-year sign-up fee is waived for all applicants.
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) has announced the new national Rainbow Registered accreditation program. The accreditation will help consumers and prospective employees to more easily identify LGBT+ friendly businesses across Canada. It will also help businesses of all industries and sizes, demonstrate their commitment and consistent efforts to provide a welcome and accepting experience through progressive policies and practices.
The Rainbow Registered program is a way for companies to affirm their position on LGBT+ rights and make it clear what their stance is.” said Darrell Schuurman, Chief Executive Officer of the LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce. “It’s no longer enough to talk about inclusivity. Canadian consumers and employees are now demanding clear actionable steps that show a business’s values align with their own.”
Rainbow Registered Sets The Bar for Corporate LGBT+ Inclusivity
The program sets a rigorous set of standards that companies must meet before earning the Rainbow Registered mark and the benefits that go along with it. The standards focus on four key areas including policies and practices, training, commitment to inclusive leadership and a culture of inclusivity. The program starts by encouraging businesses to look inwards, examining how they are operating and doing business, finding areas that may be perpetuating unconscious bias, then working closely with CGLCC to forge a path forward to becoming more inclusive.
For a limited time, the first-year sign-up fee is waived for all applicants. Pricing starts at $299 + tax for small businesses and scales to match company size.
It takes less than a week to complete the program, at which point businesses will be able to promote themselves as a Rainbow Registered organization, access CGLCC member benefits, and be included in the Rainbow Registered business directory for consumers.
Companies interested in applying to the rainbow registered program can get started today by completing the first step, a self-assessment found at www.rainbowregistered.ca.
Consumers interested in learning which organizations are accredited can find the business directory at www.rainbowregistered.ca.