Corporate Membership FAQ

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1. What is Supplier Diversity?

Supplier diversity is the business practice of including small and diverse businesses (traditionally underrepresented groups) into an organization’s supply chain.

2. Who are WBE Canada’s Corporate Members?

Membership is open to corporations, governments and nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated interest in supporting women-owned businesses through their supply chains (supplier diversity). Certified WBEs are not classified as members.

3. Who is eligible to join WBE Canada as a Corporate Member?

Corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations that have supplier diversity program or are in the process of starting one are eligible to join. They must proactively seek Women Business Enterprise (WBE) suppliers. To learn more click here.

4. What is the Value of WBE Canada’s Corporate Membership?

Membership with WBE Canada provides you not only with unlimited access to our database of Canadian certified WBEs to fulfill your contracting needs, but you will also receive the tools and resources designed to help you start a Supplier Diversity Program in your organization. To learn more about membership benefits click here.

5. What is the Commitment as a Corporate Member?

Support and promote WBE Canada mission and vision
Have a supplier diversity or social procurement initiative or a plan to have one in place within 2 years from joining. Entity must be tracking spend with diverse businesses.
Identify opportunities to increase your organization’s procurement from Women Business Enterprises (WBEs).
Identify opportunities to increase awareness of the availability of women-owned businesses as suppliers.
Leverage the WBE Canada Database for its intended use of sourcing goods and services.
Report on procurement spend with certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs).
Participate in and support WBE Canada with networking events and programs when applicable.
Attend Annual Membership meetings
Remit membership dues annually

6. What is the cost to join WBE Canada as a Corporate Member?

Our Corporate Membership structure and fees are listed here.

7. Why do we have to pay for Corporate Membership to access WBE Database?

Corporate Membership with WBE Canada is more than just access to the WBE Database. In addition to access to verified suppliers, membership fees cover the cost of support for supplier diversity programs, networking events to connect your organization with Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and support for the supplier development. Working with WBE Canada is more cost effective than developing these programs and opportunities yourself.

8. How can my company/organization participate?

WBE Canada offers many opportunities for corporate participation. From Board seats, through Committee seats to Sponsorship opportunities, we will be glad to discuss further involvement for your company. Contact Silvia Pencak to get the conversation started.

9. What is the certification process and how do I know it is reliable?

WBE Canada’s certification process follows WBE Canada Certification Policy. Women-owned businesses apply online through WBE Canada website. Upon completion of application all the documents are reviewed by WBE Canada staff to confirm that the business is minimum 51% owned, managed and controlled by women. A site visit is conducted to confirm the information provided in the application.

The Certification Committee reviews applications on a monthly basis and either requests additional documents or makes the decision to certify or deny certification for the applicant. Each successful applicant is issued a certificate of compliance. Currently about 8% of applications are denied due to non-compliance. WBE Canada has an appeal process in place for unsuccessful applicants who wish to challenge the decision of the Certification Committee. Certification Committee and Appeals Sub-Committee are comprised of the Corporate Member representatives.

To ensure that our database is current, certified WBEs undergo annual review to confirm that they continue to meet WBE certification standards. You can rest assured that businesses with a valid WBE Canada certificate are truly women-owned.

10. What is the Profile of Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in Your Database?

As of December 2019 there were 280+ Certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) from across Canada in WBE Canada’s database (15% growth YOY). All businesses are verified, with at least 51% ownership, management and control held by woman/women.

Over $1 billion combined annual revenues
Over 10 thousand employees and 2 thousand subcontractors supported
Continually top rated performers in corporate & government supply chains
Startups and solopreneurs with innovative solutions as well as established companies with revenues in multi-million dollars
Sample categories represented: IT, AI, Training, Logistics, Manufacturing, Wholesale, Retails, Waste Management, Construction, Maintenance, Legal Services, Marketing, Promotional Products, Staffing and many more.

WBE Canada also manages an email list of 2,500+ contacts.

Apply to Become a Corporate Member Here