Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Workplace Inclusion Charter

The Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Workplace Inclusion Charter (PNWIC) is a multi-partner toolkit for businesses and organizations to foster a welcoming and inclusive community through employee attraction and retention. It is a set of commitments voluntarily adopted by employers to increase inclusive practices and to promote the integration of newcomers, women, 2SLGBTQIA+, Indigenous, racialized peoples, seniors, and persons with disabilities in the workplace.

For more information, please contact Michelle Nguyen, Peterborough Immigration Partnership Officer at [email protected]

How can your organisation participate?

Read the short booklet
Ready to endorse the Charter? Sign the form and send it to Michelle at [email protected]

Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Workplace Inclusion Charter_Crop

What have we done so far?

Survey of Immigrant Needs and Reports on Findings (2023, 2025)
Desk-based research
Meetings with community representatives
Trent Community-Based Research – students conducting environmental scans and literature reviews (posters 1, 2 and 3)

Learned from practitioners of Workplace Inclusion Charters
Formed a Steering Committee to guide the design of the delivery model

Initiated a 6-month pilot program with 4 employers
The development of the pilot was led by a steering committee comprised of representatives from different sectors, and who work with various aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Pilot employer testimonials

“Over the last six months, Alternatives Community Program Services partnered with the New Canadians Centre and completed a pilot project that focused on implementing DEI initiatives that aimed at making Alternatives more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible for our staff.

We focused on improving existing HR measures, staff involvement with groups, and enhanced our DEI committee with new information and best practices.”

- Madison Beausoleil, Office Coordinator, Alternatives Community Program Services

“The number of immigrant employees at Dynacast has grown quite a bit over the past 5-10 years and this is having a positive impact in our workplace. We are trying to assist with their transition to life in Canada by partnering with the New Canadians Centre to offer an English in the Workplace program, as well as participating in the Workplace Inclusion Charter Pilot Project which has led to the development of our B.R.I.D.G.E. Committee (Belonging, Respect, Inclusion, Diversity, Growth & Equity).

The B.R.I.D.G.E. Committee will be coordinating training for all team members relating to respect, inclusivity and awareness, as well as several other initiatives. In our competitive labour market, embracing diversity isn’t just the right thing to do - it’s a smart business strategy that’s helping us grow right here in Peterborough.”

- Jennifer McKeiver, Human Resources Manager, Dynacast

“Being involved in this pilot project has provided the IDEA Committee at Showplace a structure to focus its work on those aspects identified as areas of need. It has allowed us to make concrete plans for next steps to make the work environment for both staff and volunteers more welcoming and equitable.”

– Denise McCracken, Board of Directors, Showplace Performance Centre

“4th Line Theatre is proud to have participated in the Workplace Inclusion Charter pilot. The experience has helped us reflect on our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for staff, artists, and audiences alike. The resources and guidance we received during the pilot gave us practical tools to turn our values into action, and we look forward to continuing this journey in partnership with the Charter. Inclusion is not only central to our workplace—it is essential to the stories we tell and the communities we serve.”

- Kim Blackwell, Managing Artistic Director, 4th Line Theatre

Advisory Committee 2025-2026

Jennifer Lamantia

Workforce Development Board

(Chair)

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As CEO of Workforce Development Board (WDB), Jennifer leads the delivery of responsive workforce development solutions through a range of services, resources, and partnerships. Prior to joining WDB, Jennifer spent many years in educational publishing supporting workforce development and career pathways through her work in education textbook development, acquisitions and sales.

Her accomplishments also include managing the development and implementation of new and innovative services for the education and corporate sectors with over 12 years' experience in business development with a national not-for-profit.

Drew Whatman

Rainbow Service Organization

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Drew graduated from the Accounting program at Fleming College in 2021, and the Graphic Communications Management program at the Toronto Metropolitan University in 2012. He is a proud queer neurodivergent trans man. He is active in the 2SLGBTQIA community through his work as an Organizing Member of Peterborough Pride, Board Member of the Rainbow Service Organization, and other community groups.

Drew works as the Campaign and Outreach Officer with CUPE 3908, a bookkeeper, and a freelance graphic designer.

Tonya Kraan

United Way Peterborough & District

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Tonya Kraan is the Director of Community Impact at United Way Peterborough & District, where she leads initiatives that strengthen local communities through strategic partnerships, program development, and collaborative action. In this role, Tonya works closely with non-profits, community organizations, businesses, and government to address pressing social issues and foster inclusive, sustainable change across the region.

She brings a wealth of experience in community development, with a strong background in strategic planning, fund development, and community consultation.

Meghan Sterpin

Peterborough Regional Health Centre

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Meghan Sterpin has over 20 years of experience working in the field of Human Resources. She holds a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation from the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) and is an active member of the Peterborough Chapter.

Her path in HR began as a student volunteer at university and has developed into a life-long career. She has been an HR Leader in various sectors such as Financial, Food Services, Aeronautical, Not for Profit and now Health Care. Meghan brings a Generalist's lens to her roles in HR and has a leadership style that is positive and empowering.

Meghan relocated to the Peterborough area from the GTA and has most recently joined the HR team at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. The fast pace and dynamic environment is one that she enjoys as well as helping to shape the culture of the largest employer in the Peterborough community. Meghan is a life-long learner and volunteer, and has enjoyed her time supporting members of the New Canadians Centre.

Rebecca Wasson

Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services

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As a member of the Fleming College, Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services Team, Rebecca is an Employment and Retention Specialist working with 17 employment service providers across the Muskoka-Kawarthas region to support inclusive programming, services, and work environments for job seekers. She develops strategies and initiatives to increase employers' awareness of the importance of inclusive work environments, and the role they can play in sustainable employment and retention.

Michelle Nguyen

New Canadians Centre

(Staff Lead)

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Michelle has a BA in History and International Development Studies from Trent University and an MA in Immigration and Settlement Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University. After graduating, she interned with the International Organization for Migration and conducted research with the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration program to better understand why migrants moved to and stayed in non-gateway Canadian cities. In addition to her research background, she has also designed programs for youth to participate in arts-based storytelling, civic engagement education, and leadership-development activities.

Inspired by the increasing diversity and growth of Peterborough-Nogojiwanong since her family’s resettlement here from Vietnam in the early 1980s, Michelle is looking forward to collaborating with partners via the Peterborough Immigration Partnership to create a more inclusive and welcoming community where newcomers can thrive and are valued.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, singing, catching up with friends, and watching movies and shows from around the world.

Key Takeaways

Employer engagement during the planning process is important
Project success is enhanced with phased approach i.e. start with pilot
Having Champion employers and examples of best practices as an effective buy-in strategy and resource
Importance of tailoring the Charter to local community’s needs
The Charter meets employers where they are, and then they go beyond the Charter
It is an ongoing and evolving learning process

Next Steps

Share-back and launch on October 9, 2025
Open for endorsement in November 2025

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