UVic named one of Canada's best diversity employers

The University of Victoria has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for the 11th consecutive year. Winners of the 2022 competition were announced March 7. UVic was among seven universities from across the country to be honoured.

The national competition, which has been running for 15 years, recognizes 70 employers that lead the way in creating inclusive workplaces for employees from five diverse groups: women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal peoples and LGBTQ2 peoples. This year’s honorees stood out by making listening and learning from employees a top priority.

We are truly honoured to be a top diversity employer. UVic is greatly enriched by the contributions of our community and we’re committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. We are continuing to pursue new initiatives to further our efforts and ensure an equitable and welcoming working and learning environment on our campus."

—AVP Human Resources Kane Kilbey

The university was selected for a range of leading diversity initiatives, including:

• UVic's Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities features improved accessibility, family change rooms with space for transgender individuals, and space for CanAssist, an on-campus organization that helps persons with disabilities improve their quality of life.

• CanAssist works with Vikes Athletics and Recreation to create accessible, inclusive athletic and recreational programming—including hosting national wheelchair rugby training camps, participating in OneAbility ProMotion Week, and showcasing wheelchair basketball demos during half-time at Vikes basketball games.

• In 2021, the university established the role of associate vice-president Indigenous, who has the responsibility of furthering the university’s commitment to truth, respect and reconciliation—including the development of a strategy that integrates Indigenous cultures, histories, beliefs and ways of being and knowing across all aspects of the university’s mission.

• UVic recently hosted its fourth annual Five Days of Action event, to highlight its commitment to end discrimination, harassment and sexualized violence—participants were invited to attend virtual events and workshops focused on the themes of listening, reflection, dialogue, engagement and showing solidarity.

Other diversity initiatives that have previously been recognized include the establishment of the world’s first Indigenous law program, the world’s first Chair in Transgender Studies to further research related to the lives of trans and gender non-conforming people, and creation of the position of associate university librarian–reconciliation in 2020.

UVic has been recognized as one of BC’s Top 100 Employers of 2022, and as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers six times.

• See UVic’s full profile and the complete results of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2022)