Durham Workforce Authority Joins The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce
The Durham Workforce Authority is excited to share that we have joined the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC), a national organization that advances inclusive economic participation for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, professionals, and organizations across Canada.
This membership reflects DWA’s ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). It will enhance our ability to ensure that local labour market information, partnerships, and economic development supports are as accessible and representative as possible. It also strengthens our connections with partners and networks that champion inclusive economic participation for all.
As a small, publicly funded organization, the DWA is deliberate about how we allocate our limited financial resources. Memberships, partnerships, and affiliations are chosen carefully, with a focus on organizations whose mandates align with our values and advance our mission to support a fair, inclusive, and evidence-based labour market.
Joining CQCC’s resources network reflects this approach. It is not simply a symbolic affiliation but a strategic decision to connect with a national network that supports economic inclusion and amplifies the voices of historically underrepresented groups in the workforce. This aligns with our broader labour market and workforce development priorities. In particular, it supports our focus on improving access to meaningful employment and business supports, and strengthening the inclusivity and relevance of labour market information in Durham Region.
Grounded in Community Consultation and Research Strategy
DWA’s decision to strengthen its connection with the CQCC is directly informed by our revised Research Strategy, which was shaped through extensive community consultations across Durham Region.
Through these consultations, community partners, service providers, and residents emphasized the importance of ensuring that labour market research reflects the lived experiences of diverse communities, including groups that are often underrepresented or invisible in traditional data sources. This feedback reinforced the need for the DWA to:
- Broaden the range of voices informing our labour market analysis
- Strengthen relationships with organizations embedded in equity-seeking communities
- Ensure our data and insights better reflect the full diversity of Durham’s workforce
Our updated research strategy committed the DWA to embedding equity, inclusion, and community-informed perspectives into how we collect, analyze, and share labour market information. Closer collaboration with networks such as CQCC embodies that mandate.
Strengthening Inclusive Workforce Development in Durham Region
The CQCC supports a national ecosystem of 2SLGBTQI+ businesses and allied organizations by providing access to resources, networks, and thought leadership focused on inclusive economic growth. Our mission includes supporting a labour market where everyone in the Durham Region can participate, contribute, and succeed, so for the DWA, participation in this network supports our ability to:
- Learn from national best practices related to inclusive economic participation
- Strengthen the relevance and responsiveness of local labour market research
- Build relationships that help ensure diverse perspectives are reflected in workforce planning
This membership does not change the DWA’s role as Durham Region’s independent source of labour market information. Rather, it strengthens our capacity to ensure that our work is informed by a broader range of experiences and insights.
Advancing an Inclusive, Evidence-Based Labour Market
Durham’s labour market continues to evolve, shaped by demographic change, sectoral shifts, and community needs. DWA’s participation in CQCC’s resource network reflects our commitment to continuous learning, responsible stewardship of public resources, and research practices informed by the communities we serve.
By aligning our partnerships with our values and research mandate, we aim to support a labour market where data, policy, and decision-making better reflect the realities of all workers and employers in Durham Region.
To learn more about the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce and its resources, visit queerchamber.ca/resources.
To explore DWA’s Research Strategy and consultation-informed approach, visit durhamworkforceauthority.ca/history/research-strategy.