The I.D.E.A.L. Bioscience Employer™ Recognition Program is a BioTalent Canada initiative dedicated to celebrating organizations at the forefront of fostering Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) within the dynamic Canadian bio-economy.
This program applauds organizations that are not just embracing but actively implementing principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility. It also hopes to inspire other players in the bio-economy to follow suit, creating a more vibrant and inclusive landscape for the future of biotechnology.
Previous years’ recipients demonstrated a strong commitment to IDEA principles, showcasing the positive impact such values have on the bio-economy. These employers include (listed alphabetically):
2023-2024
AgriTech North: This organization based in Dryden, Ontario focuses on reducing food costs in northern Indigenous communities, holds daily discussions and learnings on IDEA topics, and is led by a chief executive who is Indigenous and differently abled.
Amino Labs North: Amino Labs aims to empower the next generation by making biotechnology engaging and accessible. Their commitment to incorporating Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) into its business is a fundamental aspect of the organizational DNA. This commitment to IDEA enhances Amino Labs North’s business resiliency, capacity to innovate, and overall competitiveness in Canada’s biotechnology landscape.
Aruna Revolution Health Inc: A trailblazer in positive environmental and societal impact, Aruna Revolution has made IDEA a cornerstone of its identity. The leadership team consistently communicates the importance of IDEA through multiple internal channels and ensures every member of the team understands the integral role IDEA plays in its organization’s ethos.
BioCanRx: Canada’s Immunotherapy Network’s vision is to turn all cancers into curable diseases. Their committment to IDEA shines through in a comprehensive equity, diversity, and inclusion action plan which covers policies, training, internship/sponsorship opportunities and reporting mechanisms to ensure a safe and equitable network.
Charles River Laboratories: This biotechnology research company invests in ongoing measurement and assessment of its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility initiatives. The data collected is not only used to inform and update strategies and action plans but is also reported regularly to both internal and external stakeholders.
Health Cities: Health Cities is focused on improving healthcare for all Canadians. Health Cities actively integrates IDEA principles into its daily operations, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in decision-making processes. The alignment of IDEA with the mission and goals of Health Cities demonstrates a strategic and ongoing effort to incorporate equity and accessibility into the core of its work.
INTREPID Lab (CAMH): INTREPID Lab at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto includes IDEA principles in its organizational charter. It also puts IDEA principles at the centre of the programs it offers to the public and consults with staff to develop their culture and values.
Life Sciences Ontario (LSO): A Toronto not-for-profit that advances Ontario life sciences, LSO runs an internal/external committee focused on inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility leadership, and incorporates those principles into its strategic planning. The committee is comprised of members of the LSO board and external experts in IDEA.
Neuraura Biotech Inc: Neuraura is a seed-stage medical technology company based out of Calgary. Neuraura demonstrates a commitment to IDEA at the leadership level. The organization is led by individuals who are themselves first-generation immigrants, highlighting a dedication to diversity and opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Northern RNA: Northern RNA is a Canadian Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization focused on end-to-end supply of nucleic acid products. Northern RNA has established a DEI feedback group composed of leaders and employees, which contributes valuable feedback to executives, helping identify gaps and areas for improvement.
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR): OICR brings together people from across the province and around the world to improve the lives of those affected by cancer. The organization has implemented an EDI learning program, collaborating with organizations like the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, and others.
Raft Brew Labs: Situated in Calgary, Alberta, Raft Brew Labs uses biotechnology to bolster small beverage producers in Canada and has created an inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility handbook through one-on-one conversations with team members and offers incentives to increase those principles among employees.
Savyn Tech: Savyn is a Toronto-based digital trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder therapy platform using neuroscience and evidence-based therapy protocols. The company emphasizes ongoing training for its employees on recognizing and understanding IDEA principles, with participation in webinars, courses, and discussions.
Shift Health: Shift Health is a boutique life sciences consultancy that brings a science mindset to strategy consulting for the health research and innovation ecosystem. The organization has a vision for “an innovative and equitable healthcare future created with, by and for everyone,” demonstrating its belief that IDEA is integral to the future of healthcare.
STEMCELL Technologies: STEMCELL Technologies is a private biotechnology company based in Vancouver. IDEA principles have sat at the heart of STEMCELL Technologies’ operations for years. Gender parity has been the norm, with 57% of all employees identifying as female, showcasing a commitment to diversity from the early stages.
2022-2023
AgriTech North: This organization based in Dryden, Ontario focuses on reducing food costs in northern Indigenous communities, holds daily discussions and learnings on IDEA topics, and is led by a chief executive who is Indigenous and differently abled.
BioCanRx: This cancer researcher headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario has made a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at its gender balanced board of directors. Additionally, BioCanRx runs an Indigenous Student Internship program and includes patient voices in all its research findings.
Health Cities:The Edmonton-based company is focused on providing health data to decision makers in Alberta. Health Cities promotes equity in healthcare and provides internships and apprenticeships for under-represented groups in the bio-economy. They also focus strongly on employee mental health.
Life Sciences Ontario (LSO): A Toronto not-for-profit that advances Ontario life sciences, LSO runs an internal/external committee focused on inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility leadership, and incorporates those principles into its strategic planning. The committee is comprised of members of the LSO board and external experts in IDEA.
Nicotine Dependence Service (CAMH): The Nicotine Dependence Service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto includes IDEA principles in its organizational charter. It also puts IDEA principles at the centre of the programs it offers to the public and consults with staff to develop their culture and values.
Origin Materials: This carbon negative materials company based in Sarnia, Ontario is adding IDEA components to its 2023 performance indicators for staff. Additionally, the company tracks gender diversity metrics and hired a consulting firm to conduct a survey to measure IDEA as their team grows.
Raft Brew Labs: Situated in Calgary, Alberta, Raft Brew Labs uses biotechnology to bolster small beverage producers in Canada and has created an inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility handbook through one-on-one conversations with team members and offers incentives to increase those principles among employees.
Shift Health: This organization integrates inclusion and diversity into its vision and mission and works with marginalized communities. The Toronto-based group also works to build awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with visual impairments and creates written content that is more accessible.
STEMCELL Technologies: This Vancouver-based maker of scientific instruments has a three-year strategy built around equity, diversity and inclusion. Its main pillars are to focus on gender equality, increasing the representation of underrepresented groups, and investing in Indigenous communities. They also conduct regular audits on their hiring, promotion and pay equity processes.
