Purpose - Situated in the context of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems, this article explores the impact of an action-oriented, collaborative research network, the Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (IIE-Net), aimed at advancing inclusion for entrepreneurs from equity-deserving groups by addressing barriers and enablers at the societal, organizational and individual levels.

Design/methodology/approach - Drawing on principles of action research and a multi-level research strategy informed by gender-based analysis and critical race theory, this article reflects on the collaboration with stakeholders and the impact of the IIE-Net project to contribute to knowledge, policy and practice.

Findings - Using a three-level inclusive ecosystem model, we explore how research and collaboration can be used to drive change in policies and practices at the societal, organizational and individual levels.

Originality/value - This article illustrates how theory, empirical evidence and knowledge mobilization practices can be used to help shape a more inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

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Canada’s Employment Equity (EE) Act from 1986 was designed to help “level the playing field” for groups that were historically discriminated against. It required federally regulated corporations and federal contractors to track and report on the proportion of “designated groups” and their strategies to advance inclusion. The designated groups were initially identified as women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities, although the terms have been updated to “racialized people” and Indigenous peoples recognizing shifting norms. The Act also requires disclosure of policies, but reporting and monitoring of the policies is uneven."

Background Research shows that women and racialized minorities are misrepresented and underrepresented across popular media. To date, however, limited attention has been given to the representation of these groups as expert news sources within Canadian television.

Analysis This study conducts an analysis of three public affairs shows aired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Ontario Educational Communications Authority over a four-month period, cataloguing the gender and racialized minority status of 737 on-air guests.

Conclusions & implications The findings show that women and racialized minorities are underrepresented, with racialized minority women being particularly disadvantaged.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting all segments of society. This study investigates the pandemic's economic and social impacts on diverse groups in Canada, including women, immigrants, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and racialized people. Using two large online Statistics Canada surveys, which are neither random nor weighted to represent the Canadian population, we consider quantitative differences in the pandemic challenges and concerns reported by women and men, immigrants and those born in Canada, and intersectional groups, both as individuals and as the businesses they own or represent. Within the samples, individuals from diverse groups and their businesses are more negatively affected by COVID-19.

Previous studies have largely focused on the career success of white employees (Heslin, 2005). Using recent survey data, this paper examines the career satisfaction levels of white/Caucasian and visible minority managerial, professional and executive employees in the information and communications technology [ICT] and financial services sectors in corporate Canada. Given that the demographic makeup of organizations in Canada is drastically changing with the aging population and the increasing participation of visible minorities in the labour force, it is crucial for managers and organizations to understand their employees’ level of career satisfaction. Studies have found that employees who are more satisfied with their careers are more engaged and thus are more likely to actively contribute to the organization’s success (Peluchette, 1993; Harter, Schmidt and Hayes, 2002). Findings from this paper showed that the average career satisfaction scores were lower for visible minority employees than for white/Caucasian employees. In addition, variations were found between white/Caucasian employees and Chinese, South Asian and Black visible minority employees. While Black employees were 13.0% less satisfied than white/Caucasian employees, Chinese employees were only 8.3% less satisfied than their white/Caucasian counterparts, and the difference between South Asian and white/Caucasian employees was found to be insignificant. Decomposition analyses show that over 58% to 82% of the difference in career of satisfaction scores, depending on the ethnic group, can be accounted for by factors included in this paper. Of the unexplained portion, most of the differences in career satisfaction between white/Caucasian and minority groups are attributable to higher returns to white/Caucasian employees’ human capital and demographic characteristics.

Much of the literature on public space focuses on physical inclusion and exclusion rather than social inclusion or exclusion. In this paper, the implications of this are considered in the context of two monuments, The Volunteers/Les Bénévoles and The Emigrant, located outside the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. These monuments, while perhaps designed to celebrate Canadian multiculturalism, can be read instead as signaling Canada’s enduring commitment to white supremacy, Eurocentricity, and colonization when viewed through the eyes of racialized immigrants. Thus, the “public space” becomes exclusionary. In the context in which the monuments are situated, the racial subtext cannot be ignored. This article purports that images, text, and placement, regardless of intention, have significant implications on public space and public demeanor.

In recent years, Canadian concerns regarding immigrant-driven housing price hikes in major urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have sparked debates and policy discussions, raising fears about housing affordability. However, it's crucial to recognize immigration's multifaceted impact beyond housing markets. Immigrants are pivotal in addressing labor shortages, particularly in construction, healthcare, and technology, contributing to innovation and economic growth. Immigrant entrepreneurs also foster job creation and entrepreneurial activity, bolstering the economy. Despite concerns, recent increases in immigration targets highlight its vital role in Canada's demographic and economic landscape. The perception of immigrants as housing price scapegoats intersects with issues of race, prompting a need to distinguish between myths and realities. While immigration is often correlated with housing price increases, causality is complex, with various factors driving up prices, including demand and supply dynamics. Importantly, immigration can alleviate housing supply bottlenecks by providing essential labor, suggesting it can be part of the solution rather than the problem. Policy measures to control immigration must consider its diverse economic contributions and avoid draconian restrictions that could hinder growth. Understanding the interconnectedness between immigration and housing is crucial for informed policy development, ensuring solutions address both housing affordability and labor market needs while harnessing immigration's economic potential. Ultimately, embracing immigration's multifaceted benefits while mitigating perceived drawbacks is essential for Canada's continued prosperity and inclusivity.