Mr. Speaker, with regard to part (a), there are 28 organizations that applied to be a 50-30 Challenge Ecosystem Partner.
With regard to part (b), successful candidates were chosen as Ecosystem Partners based on the quality of their proposal in terms of meeting the following requirements as outlined in the call for applications that can be found here: The 50 – 30 Challenge Ecosystem Funding Call for Applications: Application Guide (canada.ca).
Activities proposed must have a national reach, i.e., access to services, including in rural, remote and northern regions throughout Canada, with a range of support applicable to all challenge participants. Proposed projects must ensure that services and activities will be provided in both official languages. Proposed activities must benefit a minimum of three of the five equity-seeking groups. However, preference was given to applications who can support all five equity-seeking groups. Proposed projects are three years in length, to be completed by March 31, 2024. Proposed projects should offer a range of supports to assist challenge participants and provide eligible activities that contribute to meeting the 50 – 30 challenge program objectives. Proposed projects have a minimum budget of $3 million but do not exceed $10 million for the duration of the project. Proposed projects must deliver services and products in both official languages. Proposed projects must provide two years of past financials, either audited or review engagement. Activities must clearly meet the requirements and will achieve the goals of the 50-30 challenge. Proposed projects must provide a detailed activity work plan with key project milestones. Proposed project activities must effectively meet the objective of the 50-30 challenge and demonstrate how benefits will be achieved. The timing of project implementation, including risk mitigation tactics, must be feasible. There must be expertise in inclusive practices for diverse population groups, experience in effectively managing projects of a similar size and scope, and experience in financial administration and management of projects of similar size and scope. Proposed projects must demonstrate organizational capacity to provide outreach, third-party training, mentorship, best practices and guidance, as well as a sound governance model that reflects diversity practices. They must demonstrate strength of collaborations that will be leveraged to carry out their project, the extent to which the applicant and the proposal meet the funding eligibility criteria, and value for money that is clearly linked to project activities and outputs.
With regard to (c), the distribution of the $28.5 million funding to the Ecosystem Partners was determined based on each recipient’s proposed project cost.
With regard to (d), Ecosystem Partners are expected to support the 50-30 challenge participants as outlined in the call for applications which can be found here: The 50 – 30 Challenge Ecosystem Funding Call for Applications: Application Guide (canada.ca)
They should link challenge participants to best practices for hiring a diverse workforce and creating inclusive and equitable workplaces. They should provide guidance to challenge participants on the development of diversity and inclusion action plans. They should promote the What Works Toolkit and other supports to assist challenge participants in meeting the challenge objectives.
On a quarterly basis, Ecosystem Partners are required to submit a progress report that includes a description of the progress made on specific activities described in their contribution agreements, issues or risks encountered, communication and marketing material produced, and any other components outlined in their contribution agreements.
Ecosystem Partners are also required to submit a final report in conjunction with the request for final payment. The final report must include a description of changes in project timelines, and demonstrate the success and the benefits resulting from the project.
With regard to (e), $ 4,629,948 has been disbursed to 50-30 Challenge Ecosystem Partners as of March 1, 2023.
With regard to (f), Ecosystem Partners have started to offer services to the participants. These services are offered through the Ecosystem Partners’ websites: Egale Canada, Global Compact Network Canada, Ted Rogers School of Management's Diversity Institute at https://diconsulting.ca/, Women's Economic Council, and Colleges and Institutes Canada.
With regard to (g), by promoting best practices related to diversity, providing guidance to challenge participants on their plans, and promoting tools and supports available to participants, the Ecosystem Partners are expected to support the achievement of the program’s objectives. These objectives include increased awareness of the best practices and measures that fuel recruitment, retention and promotion of diverse employees and leaders; and assisting Canadian organizations to become more responsive to diversity by integrating diversity and inclusion practices into their management policies and practices. The contribution agreements with the Ecosystem Partners include specific performance indicators on which they must report quarterly to monitor the success of their activities.
With regard to (h), there are specific performance indicators set out to track progress towards the program’s objectives, including indicators related to awareness and training activities, and on progress reported by challenge participants in achieving diversity. The Ecosystem Partners are required to submit quarterly progress reports, which include results on the performance indicators, and a final report demonstrating the success of the project.