Look on the Pride Side
Resilience inspires growth. We’re proud to support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Belonging begins with all of us
All year round, we’re committed to building inclusive workplaces and fostering opportunities for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Change starts from within
We’re committed to supporting our 2SLGBTQIA+ employees.
New Global Inclusive Standards of Care
In 2023 Scotiabank announced the launch of our new Global Inclusive Standards of Care for employee benefits, which is a step in the right direction to ensure a more consistent experience for all of our employees, regardless of location. Alignment to these standards has already begun, with a plan to fully implement by the end of 2030. The focus will initially be on health gaps for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and Women but will positively impact all employees.
Expanding medical benefits coverage
To support trans employees and their dependents in their journey to become their authentic selves, we’ve expanding benefits coverage in Canada and US to include enhanced gender affirmation healthcare that isn’t covered under government health plans (e.g. voice surgery). In Trinidad and Tobago, Scotiabank has also extended medical coverage to same-sex partners of employees, the first in the industry to include this benefit.
Creating a roadmap for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion
In 2019, Scotiabank became the first Canadian bank to adopt the United Nations Global LGBTI Standards of Conduct for Business, and we are a founding member of Partnership for Global LGBTI Equality (PGLE). In 2021, we piloted PGLE’s UN LGBTIQ+ Standards Gap Analysis Tool, which supports a self-assessment and a learning platform to help companies operationalize global LGBTI standards. Collectively, these resources informed a three-year action plan to operationalize our commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Expanding employee resource groups (ERGs) globally
Pride employee resource groups (made up of 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders and employees at Scotiabank) have expanded across the Americas (Canada, the USA, and Latin America) and globally (including Asia and the UK) to foster safe and inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ employees and customers.
Increasing 2SLGBTQIA+ representation
Inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals is a priority at the highest levels of Scotiabank. Our Code of Conduct and Human Rights Statement both specify that Scotiabank does not tolerate discrimination against individuals on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Our 2025 Diversity goals aim to increase representation of employees who identify as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or another diverse sexual orientation to 7% or greater.
Empower Program to support future 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders
Since 2021, the Empower Sponsorship Program has actively developed forty 2SLGBTQIA+ employees across Canada who have self-identified in our Diversity Survey. The program continues to build the capabilities of our future 2SLGBTQIA+ leaders through focused 1:1 coaching with a Program Manager, monthly focused group learning, thoughtful pairing with a Sponsor, career mapping, and more. To date, the program has seen retention of 80% of the participants in the organization with 91% of Protégés graduating, and 41% seeing promotions.
A new global standard for parental leave, for all parents
Scotiabank has set a new global standard for parental leave, with 8 fully-paid weeks for all parents (of any gender) with a new child and 8 additional fully-paid weeks for parents who have given birth, starting in 2023. In addition, on April 1, 2022, we added new coverage for fertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy with a lifetime value of $10,000 each.
Scotiabank Recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Scotiabank U.S., Scotiabank Mexico, and Scotiabank Chile were each recognized on the 2023 Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Corporate Equity Index (CEI) for their efforts in creating more inclusive and diverse work environments where LGBTQ+ employees feel welcome, valued, and safe to be their authentic selves.
How we’re driving equity for every future
Supplier Diversity Program
By supporting and expanding our work with diverse suppliers, we help to strengthen the economic base of our communities and better reflect the diversity of our customers. Our supplier diversity program works to remove barriers and increase access to procurement opportunities for diverse suppliers of groups that have typically been underrepresented.
Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth education and employment
To provide education support and employability training to access sustainable employment opportunities, we have donated $225,000 over 3 years to Friends of Ruby.
Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and refugees
In September 2020, Scotiabank donated $500,000 over 3 years to The 519 Community Centre’s 2SLGBTQ+ Economic Resilience Project. This initiative was created to support economic resilience for LGBTQ+ newcomers and refugees. In 2022, over 245 people engaged in the Economic Resilience Project by participating in financial wellbeing workshops, arts programs for queer youth, initiatives to build pathways to post-secondary education, and by completing the Career Readiness Program which matches Scotiabank mentors with participants to help improve their resumes, interview skills, and learn about employment at Scotiabank.
Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Quebec
We’re donating $150,000 over three years to GRIS-Montréal to promote greater awareness of sexual and gender diversity in schools in remote communities that are not reached by the organization’s demystification services.
Proud Partner of Pride at Work Canada
Scotiabank remains a Proud Partner member with Pride at Work Canada. 2024 is the second year Pride at Work Canada hosted their SPARK Conference, and the second year Scotiabank sponsored it. In April 2024, we were pleased to have members of Scotiabank’s Global Talent Acquisition Team in attendance to gain insights into how the Bank can elevate our recruitment strategies to continue supporting members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights globally
In May 2021, Scotiabank pledged $150,000 over three years to OutRight International, an organization that fights for LGBTIQ human rights around the world.
Helping 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and refugees find safety
Through ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank has committed $495,000 over three years to Rainbow Railroad. Our support is directed towards settlement support and strengthening the ecosystem of partner organizations around the world that defend the human rights of LGBTQI+ people.
VIBE Arts’ NExT Level
Scotiabank has pledged $50,000 to help support VIBE Arts’ NExT Level, a two-year-long mentorship program to help professionalize artists who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGBT+, newcomers, as well as those with differing abilities and those who live in poverty or under-resourced areas. This commitment has helped fund 5,535 Program Participants, engaged 94 Artists, 851 Community Arts Workshops, 106 Mentorship & Professional Development Workshops, and 72 Community Partners.
2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every 2SLGBTQIA+ employee feels empowered to reach their fullest potential.