IKEA Canada is signing the BlackNorth Initiative pledge as part of its ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
The pledge during Black History Month reconfirms the company’s commitment to tackling systemic anti-Black racism and creating opportunities for Black people through accountability and ongoing actions, according to a press release. The retailer is among the latest of more than 400 companies to sign the pledge, including Enbridge Inc., Scotiabank, the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, Accenture, Bruce Power Ltd. and Google Canada.
Read: Enbridge signing BlackNorth Initiative pledge, increasing diversity efforts
On the heels of the death of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter rallies, IKEA launched several initiatives last June including new training for managers and an expanded partnership with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion to develop resources and education for employees. The company also donated more than $200,000 to organizations including the Black Solidarity Fund by CanadaHelps, the National Association of Friendship Centres and Black Health Alliance.
In the release, Mike Ward, chief executive officer and chief sustainability officer at IKEA Canada, said the company is also committed to increasing ethnic, racial and national diversity at all levels of its leadership in Canada and globally. “Our equality plan consists of three movements: enabling us to reach our wished position to become a world leader in equality through a diverse and inclusive workforce where each one of us can be ourselves, equality throughout our business practices and by taking an activist role for social change, enabling co-workers, customers and communities to become change makers for equality.”
Read: Microsoft Canada advancing DEI goals with new partnership