About

The Solidarity Working Group (SWG) is a national coalition of changemakers committed to advancing economic liberation and structural equity across Canada. We bring together an intergenerational and cross-sectoral alliance of Elders, knowledge keepers, community organizers, youth leaders, philanthropists, impact investors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and social purpose innovators—each working toward a shared vision: a just economy rooted in care, dignity, and shared prosperity.

Canada stands at a critical inflection point. Decades of systemic neglect and racialized exclusion have created deep fractures in our economic systems—fractures that recent crises have only made more visible. Yet within this rupture lies a generational opportunity: to build new pathways to shared abundance by reimagining how resources are distributed, how communities are supported, and how leadership is cultivated.

Our network has identified mission-aligned partners who are not just funders or stakeholders—but co-conspirators in justice. Together, we are unlocking new models of collaboration, accountability, and values-based investment to address long-standing disparities in access to capital, institutional support, and opportunity. We are reshaping how economic ecosystems function—centering community wisdom, self-determination, and the rightful leadership of Black, Indigenous, and racialized innovators.

The Solidarity Working Group exists to galvanize bold, coordinated action. We don’t just advocate for inclusion—we architect systems that make it inevitable. By anchoring our work in principles of reciprocity, sovereignty, and ecological integrity, we are laying the foundation for a resilient and regenerative economy that serves all—especially those historically left behind. Now is not the time for symbolic change. Now is the time to design, invest in, and protect systems of belonging. This is our call to courage—and our invitation to solidarity.

Context

Moving the Dial

Our collective work within the Solidarity Working Group can move the dial on solving multigenerational, complex, and intractable social equity problems. But to incrementally advance this work, we must collectively own the realities of microaggressions, unconscious bias, and lack of representation that effectively uphold and enable racism and discrimination in the SI/SF ecosystem.

In July 2020, community leaders from the social finance, social economy, co-operative and community economic development movements in Canada came together in solidarity to confront and mitigate apathy towards inclusion, diversity, equity and access in the aforementioned ecosystems. On July 20th, a joint statement entitled Stronger Together was endorsed and disseminated widely throughout our collective networks across Canada.

Background

Collective Evaluation

Are we doing enough to redesign the ecosystem, workplaces, policies, and practices to accommodate all individuals?

Current SI/SF diversity initiatives have failed, and strategies around inclusivity have not yielded the intended results. The SI/SF ecosystem needs to ask questions about its leadership's commitment to change.

Are those in positions of power really listening, speaking up,challenging the status quo, and using their power and privilege to promote a culture of belonging and inclusivity?

Are we holding leaders and organizations accountable when measures and targets put in place have not been achieved?