Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are at the heart of the co-operative education and work-integrated learning programs (co-op and WIL). With the support of various MSVU departments and committees, along with the efforts of external partners, the Co-op and WIL Centre strives to cultivate an environment where diversity is celebrated and valued in the workplace. We also remain focused on taking the necessary steps to ensure the health, safety, and security of all members of the MSVU community.

MSVU co-op and WIL students come from diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences, and socioeconomic contexts. These students contribute their unique identities, academic knowledge, and previous employment experiences to the workplaces where they complete their work terms.

The Co-op & WIL Centre regularly connects employer partners with co-op and WIL students, who bring fresh perspectives, innovation, and diversity into workplaces across the country. The Co-op & WIL Centre consistently strives to build and maintain relationships with employer partners who take necessary steps to ensure the health, safety, and security of their employees while fostering an environment where individuals have the right to work without fear of discrimination or harassment.

The Co-op & WIL Centre staff encourage employers to access the content provided here to recruit, onboard and support students successfully. We also encourage co-op & WIL students to utilize this information to understand their rights and the range of resources available to them as they enter and navigate the diverse workplaces where they will complete work terms.

Visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website to gain a better understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Below is a collection of EDIA and anti-harassment & discrimination resources. Many of these resources contain information that is relevant and useful for both students and employer partners. Resources specific to students or employer partners are noted.

Please email co-op@msvu.ca you would like to suggest a resource that would be helpful for students or employer partners.

Educational and Inclusion Guides
(published by Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion)

Glossary of Terms
(published by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Centre)

SkillsonlineNS Welcoming Workplaces Modules

The 50 – 30 Challenge: Your Diversity Advantage (primarily a resource for employers)
(published by the Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Government of Canada)

Duty to Accommodate Physical and Mental Disability Guidelines
(published by the Nova Scotia Public Service Commission)

MSVU Accessibility Plan (primarily a resource for students)
(published by Mount Saint Vincent University)

Engagement on Preventing Workplace Harassment – What We Heard Report
(published by Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration)

Harassment and Violence Resources – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (primarily a resource for students)
(published by Nova SAFE)

How Does the Stronger Workplaces for Nova Scotia Act Affect You?
(published by Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration)

MSVU Anti-Harassment & Discrimination Policy
(published by Mount Saint Vincent University)

MSVU’s Policy Against Sexual Violence
(published by Mount Saint Vincent University)

Nova Scotia Human Rights Act
(published by the Nova Scotia Legislature)

Occupational Health and Safety Training
(published by Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Safety Branch)

Preventing Harassment in the Workplace
Every workplace in Canada is required to protect against discrimination and harassment. Workplaces are protected areas under the Canadian Human Rights Act and the provincial or territorial human rights code. The Nova Scotia Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment. Starting September 1, 2025, all employers in Nova Scotia must have a policy to prevent and address workplace harassment.
(published by Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration, Safety Branch)

Barriers Faced by Students from Equity-Deserving Groups in a Canadian Co-op Program
(published by the University of Waterloo, Work-Learn Institute)

Diversity Wins: How Inclusion Matters (primarily a resource for employers)
(published by McKinsey & Company)

Employment Equity Policy Guidelines
(published by the Nova Scotia Public Service Commission)

What is Meant by Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?
(published by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)

Advancing Gender Equality
(published by the International Labour Organization)

Beyond Diversity: An LGBT Best Practices Guide for Employers (primarily a resource for employers)
(published by Pride at Work Canada)

Equity Matters
(published by Women and Gender Equality Canada)

Gender Diversity at Work in Canada
(published by McKinsey & Company)

Know Your Rights: A Guide for LGBTQ2+ Employees (primarily a resource for students)
(published by Pride at Work Canada)

First Nations, Inuit and Metis Historical Terminology
(published by Library and Archives Canada, Government of Canada)

Kinu Gathered Indigenous Tourism Resources (primarily a resource for students)
(published by the Kinu Tourism Project, Mount Saint Vincent University)

Indigenous Attraction, Recruitment & Retention Strategy Tool (primarily a resource for employers)
(published by United Way)

Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights
(published by Culture, History and Sport, Government of Canada)

Indigenous Recruitment Guide (primarily a resource for employers)
(published by ECO Canada)

Indigenous Resource Hub
(published by Mount Saint Vincent University)

Mi’kma’ki Map
(published by the Kinu Tourism Project, Mount Saint Vincent University)

Strategies for Recognizing and Addressing Tokenism
(published by the Association for Co-op Education and Work-Integrated Learning)

Tips for Hiring Indigenous Employees
(published by Indigenous Works)

Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for Employers and Hiring Managers: Six Tools for Diversity in Work-Integrated Learning (primarily a resource for employers)
(published by the Association for Co-op Education and Work-Integrated Learning)

The Benefits of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace (primarily a resource for employers)
(published by Forbes)

Work Off-Campus as an International Student (primarily a resource for students)
(published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Government of Canada)