Advanced - Sample Policy Statements - Electricity Human Resources Canada

At the Advanced level, organizations demonstrate a deeper integration of DEI principles into their operations and culture. They develop strategies to support historically excluded communities, build strong partnerships with external stakeholders, and implement comprehensive systems for accountability. At this level, organizations actively monitor progress and ensure that their efforts are sustainable.

Key policies at this level include:

Supplier Diversity Policy
Comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Partnerships with Indigenous Communities

Group of electrical workers in safety gear walking to the job site

Adapt and customize: Tailor each Sample Policy Statement to your organization’s specific context, legal framework, and operational needs.
Consult stakeholders: Engage employees (especially those from equity-deserving groups), community members, or Indigenous Elders/leaders for input.
Ensure compliance: Align policies with relevant federal, provincial/state, and local legislation.
Communicate broadly: Clearly announce new or revised policies, ensuring managers and employees understand the purpose and benefits.
Measure and report: Track implementation and share results, committing to a cycle of continuous improvement.

🔥 Indicates policies that advance Indigenous reconciliation and align with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

1. Accessible Workplace Policy
Sample policy statement

The organization ensures that both physical and digital workplaces are accessible to all employees, customers, and visitors. We follow or exceed local accessibility standards (e.g., AODA in Ontario) and continually seek to remove barriers.

Examples
1. IESO
  - Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (2021–2026)
  - Outlines how IESO removes barriers across physical and digital environments, commits to AODA/IASR compliance, and includes web accessibility measures aligned with WCAG 2.0 Level AA.
2. SaskPower
  - Accessibility Plan 2025–2028
  - Describes how SaskPower will identify and remove barriers in the built environment and information and communications, aligned with the Accessible Saskatchewan Act, to improve access for employees and the public.
2. Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Policy
Sample policy statement

We commit to actively confronting racism and oppression in our workplace. This includes providing education on systemic barriers, establishing support structures for racialized employees, and regularly assessing organizational policies to ensure they are anti-racist and anti-oppressive.

Examples
1. Ontario Power Generation
  - Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy
  - Describes how OPG confronts systemic racism through workforce‑wide learning, including an anti‑racism course, and supports racialized employees through its Racial Equality ERG, while tracking progress and reviewing practices for bias.
2. BluEarth Renewables
  - 2021 ESG Report
  - Outlines an employee‑focused DEI approach that includes a formal DEI policy, organization‑wide training, and a Respect in the Workplace program to prevent harassment and strengthen an inclusive culture.
3. Bias Reporting and Resolution Policy
Sample policy statement

Employees can report incidents of bias, discrimination, or harassment through confidential channels. All reports will be investigated swiftly, with findings leading to corrective actions up to and including termination. Data on reported incidents and outcomes will be reviewed to identify systemic issues.

Examples
1. Cameco
  - Ethics and U
  - Provides multiple channels to report concerns, including an anonymous hotline, protects employees from retaliation, and outlines an investigation process with consequences for violations, supported by logged reports for oversight.
2. Ontario Power Generation
  - Anonymous Ethics Reporting Portal
  - Offers a confidential portal for reporting suspected Code violations, with an option to report anonymously, and provides additional internal reporting routes, ensuring multiple secure channels for raising concerns.
4. Equitable Career Development and Advancement Policy
Sample policy statement

The organization provides equitable access to professional development, mentorship, and advancement opportunities. Leadership tracks are transparent, and high-potential employees from underrepresented groups are proactively supported.

Examples
1. Ontario Power Generation
  - Bridging the Gap
  - Supports women pursuing licensed control‑room progression roles through structured preparation and training, strengthening OPG’s pipeline for senior leadership in nuclear operations.
2. Canada Energy Regulator
  - Employment Equity Report 2023-24
  - Highlights tailored leadership development and mentorship programs that expand career opportunities for equity-deserving employees and shows how CER tracks participation to advance equitable career outcomes.
5. Comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Sample policy statement

We adopt a strategic approach to DEI, including measurable goals, timelines, and regular progress reports. This policy spans recruitment, retention, leadership, supplier diversity, and cultural competence initiatives.

Examples
1. Enbridge
  - 2022 Sustainability Report
  - Outlines an enterprise-wide DEI strategy with measurable representation goals and progress tracking, embeds DEI across recruitment, retention, and leadership development, requires Indigenous cultural competence training, and integrates supplier inclusion into procurement.
2. Ontario Power Generation
  - ESG Report 2021: 10-year ED&I strategy (2020–2030)
  - Sets a long-term, board-endorsed ED&I strategy with defined priorities and annual progress reporting, addresses systemic barriers in hiring and advancement, and strengthens supplier diversity with spend targets supporting Indigenous-owned businesses.
6. Equitable Performance Evaluation Policy
Sample policy statement

Performance evaluations use standardized criteria to reduce bias. All managers undergo bias-awareness training, and evaluation outcomes are regularly reviewed to ensure fairness across gender, race, and other protected groups.

Examples
1. Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
  - CNSC Employment Equity Report 2020–21
  - Reinforces inclusion in leadership evaluations through required manager training on unconscious bias and uses employee survey results to monitor progress and guide organizational priorities.
2. BC Hydro
  - Inclusion objectives and D&I in leaders’ performance plans
  - Integrates D&I into executive performance plans by requiring leaders to set annual inclusion objectives and uses organization-wide inclusion measures to ensure consistent people‑leader accountability.
7. Gender Transition and Inclusion Policy
Sample policy statement

The organization fully supports employees undergoing gender transition. We ensure privacy, respect for chosen names/pronouns, and flexible leave options. Managers receive training on how best to support transitioning colleagues.

Examples
1. BC Hydro
  - MoveUP Collective Agreement (2022–2025)
  - Includes a Gender Transition Leave provision that allows employees to take unpaid or sick‑leave–supported time off for transition-related procedures, based on employee preference and approval processes.
2. Suncor Energy
  - Gender Transition Guidebook initiative (Osler Diversity Disclosure Practices, 2023)
  - Introduces a Gender Transition Guidebook to help leaders and employees support transitioning colleagues, alongside updated self-identification practices that include gender identity and pronouns.
8. Implementation of TRC Calls to Action Relevant to Business 🔥
Sample policy statement

We will actively respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Calls to Action relevant to corporate Canada, including providing education on Indigenous issues, collaborating with Indigenous communities, and eliminating employment gaps.

Examples
1. NB Power
  - First Nations Relations
  - Aligns its First Nations Relations approach with TRC Call to Action 92, focusing on engagement with First Nations, organization-wide education and cultural awareness, and stronger Indigenous employment pathways.
2. SaskEnergy
  - SaskEnergy–FNPA MOU
  - Frames reconciliation as a practical action by referencing TRC Call to Action 92 and committing to deeper collaboration with First Nations communities, including expanded Indigenous procurement and economic participation.
9. Indigenous Languages Support Policy 🔥
Sample policy statement

The organization supports the preservation and use of Indigenous languages in the workplace where applicable. This can include bilingual signage, encouragement of Indigenous place names, and language-learning resources for interested employees.

Examples
1. Qulliq Energy Corporation
  - Inuit Employment Plan
  - Supports Indigenous language use through recruitment outreach in Inuktitut and training approaches that incorporate Inuktitut instruction, helping normalize Indigenous language use and strengthen cultural relevance for Inuit employees.
2. Manitoba Hydro
  - Celebrating Manitoba’s Indigenous languages
  - Promotes Indigenous language revitalization through employee learning programs during Indigenous Awareness Week, including virtual events highlighting Manitoba’s seven Indigenous languages and efforts to recover and normalize their use.
10. Partnerships with Indigenous Communities 🔥
Sample policy statement

We form long-term, respectful partnerships with Indigenous communities for mutual benefit. This may include revenue sharing, community development projects, and joint ventures in energy infrastructure.

Examples
1. Innergex
  - Indigenous Partnership
  - Highlights renewable projects co-developed with Indigenous partners through a BC Hydro RFP, showing how shared project design and joint participation can embed partnership models in energy infrastructure development.
2. ATCO
  - Indigenous Relations – Projects & Partnership
  - Demonstrates a long-term partnership approach that includes equity sharing opportunities, project-based collaboration, and community investment, modelling how utilities can structure ongoing, relationship-based partnerships rather than one-time consultations.
11. Supplier Diversity Policy
Sample policy statement

We commit to diversifying our supplier base by prioritizing businesses owned by women, minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. We will set supplier diversity targets and measure progress annually.

Examples
1. Enbridge
  - Responsible Procurement Program
  - Recognizes certified diverse suppliers through its registration process and embeds supplier diversity directly into procurement, supporting inclusive practices across its supply chain.
2. SaskPower
  - Empowering Supplier Diversity
  - Sets measurable supplier diversity targets, including directing 1% of spend to women‑owned businesses, and embeds Indigenous participation requirements and ownership expectations in procurement processes.
12. Indigenous Supplier Diversity Policy 🔥
Sample policy statement

We commit to including Indigenous-owned businesses in our procurement processes. We will collaborate with Indigenous chambers of commerce, attend Indigenous trade shows, and create set-asides for Indigenous suppliers where appropriate.

Examples
1. Hydro One
  - Indigenous Procurement
  - Sets a clear target to increase Indigenous procurement spend to 5% by 2026 and supports this through supplier requirements and active tracking of Indigenous supplier engagement.
2. BC Hydro
  - Annual Service Plan Report
  - Reports measurable Indigenous procurement targets and results, and explains how directed contracting supports long-term economic benefits for First Nations in B.C.

These sample policies are provided solely as general guidance and should not be interpreted or relied upon as legal advice. Links included in this resource were accurate and functional at the time of publication; if any link becomes inactive, please refer to the organization’s main corporate website for the most current information.

Turnkey Policies for Inclusive, Equitable, and Accessible Workplaces - Reading Materials - Chapter 04: Advanced – Sample Policy Statements

About the Advanced Level

How to use these sample policies

Sample statements

1. Accessible Workplace Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

2. Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

3. Bias Reporting and Resolution Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

4. Equitable Career Development and Advancement Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

5. Comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

6. Equitable Performance Evaluation Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

7. Gender Transition and Inclusion Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

8. Implementation of TRC Calls to Action Relevant to Business 🔥

Sample policy statement

Examples

9. Indigenous Languages Support Policy 🔥

Sample policy statement

Examples

10. Partnerships with Indigenous Communities 🔥

Sample policy statement

Examples

11. Supplier Diversity Policy

Sample policy statement

Examples

12. Indigenous Supplier Diversity Policy 🔥

Sample policy statement

Examples

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