We all belong here.
At Scotiabank, we support and celebrate LGBT+ inclusion 365 days a year.
Belonging begins with all of us
All year round, we’re committed to building inclusive workplaces and fostering opportunities for LGBT+ communities. After Pride, let’s continue to ally on!
Change starts from within
We’re committed to supporting our LGBT+ 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 LGBT+ 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 LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Expanding employee resource groups (ERGs) globally
LGBT+ employee resource groups (made up of LGBT+ 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 LGBT+ employees and customers.
Increasing LGBT+ representation
Inclusion of LGBT+ 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 LGBT+ leaders
In 2022, we enhanced our offering of the LGBT+ Sponsorship Program (now Empower Program), which focuses on employees across Canada who have self-identified as LGBT+ and who have been identified as high potential. The 2022 Program saw the addition of focused 1:1 coaching sessions with a dedicated Program Manager, and included networking, education, career mapping and more. Since Pilot in 2021, the Empower Program has actively developed 24 LGBT+ employees across the enterprise, 92% of which remain at Scotiabank.
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.
Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality
Scotiabank was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation as Triple Winner of the “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality” distinction in the US, Mexico, and Chile. Receiving a perfect score of 100%, highlights the impact of Scotiabank’s work on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to supporting LGBT+ employees.
How we’re driving equality 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 LGBTQ+ 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 LGBT+ 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 LGBT+ 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 has been a Proud Partner member with Pride at Work Canada for many years. In February 2023, Scotiabank was the Executive Level Conference Sponsor of PaWC’s inaugural SPARK Leadership Conference for Senior Executives - a single day, in-person conference that provides networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and expert guidance in the DEI space.
Advancing LGBT+ 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 LGBTQI+ 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.
LGBT+ Communities
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every LGBT+ employee feels empowered to reach their fullest potential. We drive equality for every future.