RBC's Nixon calls on business community to help unlock the power of Canada's diversity
"Unlocking the Power of Diversity"
MONTREAL, October 18, 2004 - Gordon Nixon today called
on business leaders to help unlock the power of diversity,
which he called "a competitive advantage for Canada, and
a source of national pride for Canadians."
"The diversity of our country and our workforce is fundamental
to our definition of Canada, and to our future prosperity
as a nation," said Nixon, president and chief executive officer
of RBC Financial Group.
Speaking at a lunch held by the Women's Canadian Club of
Montreal, Nixon told his audience that as one of the most
diverse nations on earth, Canada had more to gain from working
towards diversity than virtually any other country.
"Unlocking the power of diversity will enable Canada to
become more competitive and dynamic," he stated. "In a nation
as small as Canada, we simply cannot afford to overlook talented
and smart people because of gender, ethnic origin or other
differences. From a business perspective, diversity is one
of our greatest competitive advantages in growing our intellectual
capital and ensuring our ability to compete."
Nixon said that immigration has and continues to provide
Canada with a unique opportunity to revitalize its society
with new ideas and new energy.
"As I have travelled across our country, I've been impressed
by the number of entrepreneurial companies that have been
started by first-generation Canadians," he said. "They have
brought a wealth of creativity and ideas to our country,
and their vitality is helping to create jobs and drive economic
growth."
However, he acknowledged that our ability to attract and
utilize the talents of newcomers does not always happen spontaneously.
"It requires a concerted effort by every sector of society,
including a leadership role by the business community," Nixon
said. "Clearly, we need to do more to identify and remove
impediments to full participation in the economic life of
this country. And not just for new Canadians. It needs to
be done for all those who have felt the frustration of 'sticky
floors' that initially limit their opportunities for advancement,
or the 'glass ceilings' that block their access to the senior
levels of an organization."
Nixon, who chairs his organization's Diversity Leadership
Council, said diversity is a responsibility that he and RBC
take seriously.
"Not just because it's the right thing to do. But because
it's good for business," he said. "We believe that a diverse
workforce will help us develop better products and services
for an increasingly multi-ethnic, multi-lingual customer
base. And we believe that this workforce will be able to
devise more creative, effective solutions to the challenges
that will undoubtedly be presented by the rapidly changing
competitive environment of tomorrow."
Nixon said the onus is on business leaders to push forward
to create an inclusive society where differences are respected
and valued for the benefit of all.
"As we move in that direction, I believe we'll discover
that unlocking the power of diversity will become a competitive
advantage for Canada, and a source of national pride for
Canadians," he concluded.
For a copy of Mr. Nixon's speech "Unlocking the Power of
Diversity," please visit http://www.rbc.com/newsroom/20041018nixon.html.
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For further information, please contact:
Chris Pepper, Media Relations, (416) 974-2124
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