Supplier Diversity Certification Pilot Program

Gain access to exclusive private and public sector programs and contracts. Become a certified supplier diversity business.

We are now accepting applications for the Supplier Diversity Certification Pilot Program. 

The Supplier Diversity Certification Pilot Program (SDCPP) offers diverse-owned businesses* financial support to obtain supplier diversity certification through one of the five following certifying bodies in Canada:

1. CAMSC (Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council)
2. IWSCC (Inclusive Workplace & Supply Council of Canada
3. CGLCC (Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce)
4. WEConnect International Canada
5. WBE Canada (Women Business Enterprises Canada)

*A business of diversity is 51% owned, operated, and controlled by LGBTQ+, Indigenous, Women, Veterans, People living with Disabilities, Black Nova Scotians, African Nova Scotians, and other Racialized People.

SDCPP can help Nova Scotia businesses elevate their national and international competitiveness through certification as a diverse-owned business, which can provide access to specific supplier diversity procurement programs within private sector corporations and government departments.

The program provides financial support to offset the costs of certification. Businesses that have successfully obtained supplier diversity certification through one of the above-listed certifying organizations will be reimbursed 100% of the one-time fee paid by the business.

The financial amount covered is up to $1,000.00 (excluding taxes).

Eligibility

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have an approved, first-time certification from one of the five above noted agencies dated between January 20, 2025, and March 17, 2025.
• Be a diverse-owned Nova Scotia registered business in good standing (current registration on the Registry of Joint Stock Companies).
• Have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.
• Have a product/service with the potential to be sold outside of Nova Scotia.
• Have most of its workforce currently residing in Nova Scotia (some exceptions may apply where it can be demonstrated that the economic benefit can be accrued to Nova Scotia).
• Have no outstanding or pending claims/litigation, injunctions, judgements, orders, legal or administrative actions or similar proceedings against the business, its principals and/or any related business(es).
• The business, principals and/or any related business(es) shall not be in default of any obligations under any form of financial assistance and/or incentive program from Invest NS, the Province of Nova Scotia, or by any agency of the Province of Nova Scotia. For purpose of these criteria, the Credit Union Small Business Loan Guarantee Program is considered a form of financial assistance provides by the Province of Nova Scotia.

For complete program details, please refer the SDCPP Guidelines.

Important Dates

Applications for SDCPP will be accepted between January 20, 2025, and March 17, 2025.

Certifications must be approved by one of the five certifying organizations in Canada no later than 5:00pm AST on Monday, March 17, 2025. 

How to Apply

To apply for SDCPP, download, complete, and submit the SDCPP Application Form.

All documentation noted in Section 4 of the SDCPP Guidelines, including a completed application form, must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Questions about why you should apply? Check out the Supplier Diversity Q&A. 

Please submit all documents via email to: 

Jady Cossi
Export Development Executive, Business Growth
Invest Nova Scotia
jady.cossi@investnovascotia.ca