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Views from the Experts
Interview excerpt: Laraine Kaminsky
Executive VP of Graybridge Malkam
Q How do Canadians fare in terms of workplace integration for visible minorities and aboriginal people?
A We are moving forward, I have seen improvement specifically in large urban areas, like Toronto, Vancouver and to a considerable extent in Montreal. In some areas of the country there is much more resistance because there isn't a critical mass. I would say it depends on organizational culture of inclusion as to whether people are further along the continuum or still struggling to get beyond the entry level.
Q What do you think it's like working in such a diverse workforce like Canada?
A It think it's fantastic and I think it's our secret weapon. We have the world in our country. It's our competitive edge globally. Organizations that really maximize on that linguistic and cultural diversity have seen the advantages when people are being recognized for being multilingual and having multicultural understanding and they are doing lots of work in India and China and Japan. How do we use those voices, those bodies, those brains to maximize the diversity? In those organizations it's great. We do see segregation, people do choose to eat lunch with those who can speak their language -- that's human nature, but on the shop floor or in meetings, for people to learn from each other, it can be super.
Q How effective is equity management in terms of increasing profits?
A If it's seen as a business advantage it can certainly give organizations the edge. It's much easier to work with someone who already has the language than to start from scratch. And we see that in organizations, where the third or fourth language is an asset, those are the companies, the ones that are actually recruiting for diversity, (where) you see that it is much more profitable.
Q Why should Canadian companies go beyond hiring the token visible minority? Why is it important to further promote visible minorities and aboriginal people into key decision making roles?
A People in society are reflective, so if you have someone around the table who is part of the "in" group, hey can speak for the market place as part of that group. We saw that when women were excluded and we have seen the success in bringing women into the workplace. I hope that we no longer say, 'Can a woman do such a senior job?' So why would (we)say, 'Can a black person, a green person, a yellow person do that senior job?' Why would their skin colour prevent them from doing that job?
Q Why is it so vital to have different people on the decision making table?
A Different people from different backgrounds have got different values. Different people from different backgrounds bring different perspectives. Having diverse perspectives around the decision making table facilitates a good decision.
For more information, pick up the March 29th issue of Canadian Business or visit the Minority Report section on OMNITV.ca.
