An approach to diversity training in Canada

The article begins by pointing out how Canada has undergone a huge demographic change in the last 30 years, forcing companies to rethink their training strategies. This means diversity training will assume an ever larger role. Different clichés about diversity training are discussed and demystified. The goal of all diversity training is to make participants aware of their perceptions and assumptions, so as to ensure correct understanding of different values. The characteristics of an effective diversity program are: it must be linked to a business objective, it cannot result in preferential treatment for some groups and it must have the 100 percent support from top management. The benefits will yield better communication with outsides as well as insiders, enlarge the customer base and will transpose one's mindset so that a person can engage successfully in any interracial or intercultural relationship.