Social impact

^{ESG | Social | Human rights |} ^{Inclusive trade | Inclusion, diversity and equity} ^{| Our communities}

^{ESG | Social | Human rights |} ^{Inclusive trade |

Inclusion, diversity and equity} ^{| Our communities}

Removing barriers

Historic injustices and systemic barriers continue to hold too many people back. We’re taking deliberate action in our workplace, communities and our customer relationships to help build a more equitable and inclusive society that respects human rights and enables people to flourish.

News and insights

Women in Trade Guide

Our free guide is full of insights and advice to help Canadian women-owned businesses succeed internationally.

View the guide

Guide: Breaking down barriers: Empowering Black-owned businesses to go global

Discover valuable advice to help black entrepreneurs thrive internationally

Learn more

ESG survey: The SME perspective on sustainability

Discover key insights from 350 small- and medium-sized enterprises on how ESG/sustainability affects their business.

Learn more

Picture of business colleagues including differently abled woman discussing a project representing goal of making global trade more inclusive, diverse and equitable

EDC is committed to making global trade more inclusive, diverse and equitable

We care about people and strive to make the communities we live and work in better. We work to ensure our efforts are influencing better outcomes for people through our own actions and those of our customers.

A timeline of human rights at EDC

As an export credit agency, we have a responsibility to respect human rights across our operations. We continue to evolve and strengthen our practices in line with best practices and the changing trade landscape.

2021

Developed due diligence tools on leverage and remedy.

2022

Completed a review and update of our human rights policy, as part of the Environment and Social Risk Management (ESRM) policy framework review.

Launched leverage and remedy toolkit and training course for relevant employees.

2023

Released our updated human rights policy as part of our wider ESRM policy framework review to strengthen and clarify our commitments and processes. We also established a defence and security position to guide our due diligence and kicked off a saliency exercise.

2024

We issued our second inaugural report on Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act. The report outlined the steps we took in 2024 to prevent and reduce the risk that forced labour or child labour is used in the production of goods we purchase.

2008

Released our Human Rights Statement

2011

Started embedding human rights risks into our environmental and social due diligence practices

2015

Assessed our practice against the UNGPs

2017

Aligned our environmental and social due diligence practices with the UNGPs

2018

Began review of our Environmental and Social Risk Management Policy Framework

2019

Issued our first board-approved and dedicated Human Rights Policy

2020

Developed and approved Principles on Leverage and Remedy. Disclosed our Due Diligence Framework: Human Rights

Customer stories

Success Story

Three Farmers Foods sees big potential in the Indo-Pacific

Plant-based snackables company Three Farmers Foods sets their sights on new Asian markets.
Success Story

Meadow Lake Tribal Council: Exporting brings home new opportunities

Steady support keeps this Indigenous-owned sawmill buzzing in a volatile market.
Podcast
February 21, 2024

Competing on quality in global markets

Learn how Craft&Crew built its reputation overseas for long- term success and growth.

By the numbers: Putting our social commitments into action

We believe that good social practices are key to EDC’s sustainability, to the long-term success of Canadian companies and to our country’s international competitiveness and continued prosperity. As an organization, we aim to lead by example on diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2024:

17.8%

Of transactions underwent enhanced human rights risks screenings

$960M

Women-owned business facilitated

$519M

Indigenous-owned and business facilitated

37%

Representation of employees identifying as visible minorities in our workforce

8.7%

Representation of persons with disabilities in our workforce

$280,493

Total community donations provided by EDC and our employees

ESG agreements and memberships

EDC is guided by a number of agreements and standards that form the foundation of our view of best practices when it comes to environmental, social and governance issues. We’re also a contributing member of organizations setting the standard for sustainable, responsible business. Learn more about our commitments.

Learn more about our agreements and memberships

Continue browsing

^{ESG | Social | Human rights |} ^{Inclusive trade | Inclusion, diversity and equity} ^{| Our communities}

^{ESG | Social | Human rights |} ^{Inclusive trade |

Inclusion, diversity and equity} ^{| Our communities}

Removing barriers

News and insights

Women in Trade Guide

Guide: Breaking down barriers: Empowering Black-owned businesses to go global

ESG survey: The SME perspective on sustainability

EDC is committed to making global trade more inclusive, diverse and equitable

Human rights

Inclusive trade

Inclusion, diversity and equity

Our communities

A timeline of human rights at EDC

2021

2022

2023

2024

From 2008 - 2020

Customer stories

Three Farmers Foods sees big potential in the Indo-Pacific

Meadow Lake Tribal Council: Exporting brings home new opportunities

Competing on quality in global markets

By the numbers: Putting our social commitments into action

17.8%

$960M

$519M

37%

8.7%

$280,493

ESG agreements and memberships

Policies & reports

Human Rights Policy

Human Rights Risk Management Guideline

Principles on Leverage and Remedy

2023 Human Rights Report