Women in Trade Guide
Our free guide is full of insights and advice to help Canadian women-owned businesses succeed internationally.
Social impact
Building a more equitable world
Removing barriers
News and highlights
Implementing ESG
An ESG strategy can improve the value of your company’s products and services while decreasing negative impacts on people and the environment.
Markets of opportunity
Get EDC’s take on top markets and “hidden gems” where Canadian companies could increase their exports, including Asia-Pacific, the United States (U.S.), China and emerging markets.
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.
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
Cyril Owona: How a career detour led to becoming founder of ISCI Inc.
How EDC helped this Black-owned business grow internationally
Women entrepreneurs offer top tips for exporting to the U.S.
Owners of three women-led companies in the food-processing sector give tips for exporting to the U.S.
How women entrepreneurs overcome challenges to grow global sales
Women entrepreneurs discuss the challenges and opportunities of doing business internationally.
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 Canada’s international competitiveness and continued prosperity. As an organization, we aim to lead by example on diversity, equity and inclusion. In 2021:
266
Transactions underwent human rights screenings
$5.2B
Women-owned and -led business facilitated to date
$383M
Indigenous-owned and -led business facilitated to date
34%
The percentage of EDC employees identifying as visible minorities
176%
Increase in the percentage of persons with disabilities at EDC since 2020
$411,357
Total donations in support of communities
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.
Policies & reports
Explore policies, reports and other reference materials related to environmental, social and governance practices at EDC.
Human Rights Policy
Drives our approach to human rights, including decision-making for the transactions we support and the actions we take.
Due Diligence Framework: Human Rights
Outlines how our policy commitments are integrated into our environmental and social risk assessment processes.
Principles on Leverage and Remedy
Describes how our leverage and remedy commitments are put into practice at EDC.
2021 Human Rights-related Disclosure
Highlights of our performance in 2021 and future plans.
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