VANCOUVER — Governments and corporations in Canada spend billions each year procuring products and services, but Jackee Kasandy says that historically barely any has gone to businesses owned by Black people, and she wants that to change.
Kasandy heads the British Columbia-based Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society, which now offers a certification program for Black-owned businesses to help owners navigate the lucrative but complicated world of government and corporate procurement."We know that the government buys just absolutely everything," she said in an interview."So it's great to do business with the government and supply to the government.
With many governments and corporations committing to supplier diversity initiatives, including earmarking a certain percentage for Indigenous-owned businesses, the society started the Black Business Certification Program, and its first cohort of participants has just completed the 12- to 14-week program.
He said online meetups for the certification program"very quickly became the highlight of my week," featuring guest speakers and people in government procurement positions who helped explain their processes,"which proved to be, you know, priceless." "Within a few weeks, I realized that we're all in it for the same reason. All we want is an opportunity to get to the table and talk to the necessary people who would either make the decision or influence the decision. None of us are looking for handouts," White said."All we want to do is level the playing field, and if we get a chance to sit down with these people, where doors had previously been closed, we'll take our chances on being able to prove our value.
Wheeldon said a barrier she's come up against is identifying the right people — the decision-makers who award procurement contracts.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (May 20-26) - Vancouver MagazineA Kintsugi workshop, a 1000-gallon smoker for Spot Prawn Festival and a karaoke comedy show.
Read more »
Public viewing locations for Vancouver Canucks playoff run in Metro VancouverFans in the region have a growing number of opportunities to catch the action at public gatherings where they can share the energy with a crowd.
Read more »
5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (May 6-12) - Vancouver MagazineWhat to do in Vancouver the week of May 6.
Read more »
Governments must disaster-proof Canada's hospitals against climate change: expertsLast month, the Canadian Medical Association warned that Canada's health-care facilities are among the oldest public infrastructure in use. Half were built more than 50 years ago, making them especially vulnerable to extreme climate events.
Read more »
Governments must disaster-proof Canada’s hospitals against climate change: expertsOTTAWA — A wall of flames met David Matear when he finally stepped outside of the downtown Fort McMurray hospital, after the final patient was hurried out
Read more »
Governments must disaster-proof Canada's hospitals against climate change: expertsOTTAWA — A wall of flames met David Matear when he finally stepped outside of the downtown Fort McMurray hospital, after the final patient was hurried out of the building and into a waiting bus. 'You couldn't see the trees.
Read more »