August 2013

www.novascotiaimmigration.ca
Cultural Competence Resources
for Nova Scotia Employers










Organizational cultural competence, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, is the
demonstrated capacity of an organization to work effectively with culturally diverse populations,
through explicit integration of cultural diversity into all aspects of its organizational values, structures,
policies and practices.
1


Understanding and respecting one anothers culture is critical for effective working relationships in any
organization especially when it comes to communication. The Nova Scotia business environment is
becoming progressively more diverse, creating both opportunities and challenges for employers.
Ensuring that your enterprise is prepared to capitalize on diversity within the organization and
effectively communicate with culturally diverse clients is key to success in Nova Scotias rapidly changing
economy.
Cross-cultural training in your workplace can help ensure a smooth transition for an individual coming
from a different culture, and will promote cultural awareness and diversity in your team. Ensuring a
welcoming workplace for new employees helps employers engage and retain a more diverse and
productive workforce.
This resource guide provides information on cultural competency training for employers as well as
resources available in Nova Scotia and online to help employers make sure that their businesses are
prepared to excel in the 21st century business environment.



1
Van Ngo, H. (2010). Cultural Competence: A guide to organizational change.
Citizenship & Immigration Canada. Retrieved from
http://www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca/documents/pubsandresources/CulturalCompetencyGuide.pdf
August 2013


www.novascotiaimmigration.ca
Cultural Competence Training in Nova Scotia
Immigrant Settlement and Integration Services (ISIS)
Paul Pickering, Workplace Culture Coordinator
www.isisns.ca
p. (902) 406 8614 f. (902) 423 3154
e. ppickering@isisns.ca
Suite 2120 (2nd floor), Mumford Professional Centre
6960 Mumford Road
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1

ISIS is the largest immigrant-serving agency in Atlantic Canada. ISIS provides settlement services and
training for Nova Scotia immigrants and works with Nova Scotia employers to support them in hiring and
retaining immigrants. The Workplace Culture Program has a range of free cross-cultural awareness and
communication services targeted to the needs of employers hiring immigrants. The Workplace Culture
Assessment Tool, Building Cultural Competence workshops and the Workplace Culture Diversity Series
Workshops are just a few of the services provided.

Intercultural Training Solutions for Global Organizations
Denise DeLong BA, Dip TESL , MEd. International/Intercultural
p. (902) 414 4840
e. denisedelong08@gmail.com

Denise Delong offers customized assessment and workshops for organizations that want to recruit and
retain intercultural and local employees. Denise is an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Certified
Administrator, and provides coordination for valid, reliable intercultural assessments and follow up
debriefs, as well as communication workshops for individuals or teams.

Logical Minds Consulting
Janet Rhymes & Darren C. Brown
www.logicalminds.ca
p. (902) 433 0449 f. (902) 433 0368
e. janet@logicalminds.ca

Logical Minds Consulting provides cultural competence and intercultural effectiveness training for a
variety of audiences, and can cater training to your organizations needs. Services provided include:
assessments, learning guides, group seminars, and workshops to train organizational representatives to
deliver their own cultural competence training.



August 2013


www.novascotiaimmigration.ca
Robert S. Wright, MSW, RSW
www.robertswright.ca
p. (902) 443 0192 f. (902) 443 6729
e. wrightrs@ns.sympatico.ca
800-1701 Hollis Street (Founders Square)
Halifax, NS B3J 3M8

Robert S. Wright has a rich history working with culture and race issues, both through clinical work and
training. Available services include: workplace cultural competence and cultural safety assessment;
cultural competence workshops and training (half-day, full day, multi-day); facilitated development of
cultural competence, cultural safety, discrimination and harassment workplace policies and procedures;
workplace mediation and alternative dispute resolution services; and HR consulting and coaching.

Culture & Diversity Consulting for Our Colourful World
Stephanie Douglas
www.stephdouglas.com
e. stephiedouglas@gmail.com

Stephanie Douglas offers workshops in a variety of different formats catered to the needs of particular
organizations, including organizational gap analysis, cross-cultural awareness and communication
competencies, and HR best practices.

Mohamed Yaffa
p. (902) 473 1326 c. (902) 233 4421
e. mohamed.yaffa@cdha.nshealth.ca

Mohamed Yaffa is an adult educator who has worked in the field of diversity for over a decade.
He specializes in developing organizational diversity awareness, cultural competence education and
diversity capacity building. He is experienced in working with leadership, program developers, decision
makers and direct service providers. Specific areas of works have been attitude change, community
engagement and organizational culture.

Rene Robichaud
p. (613) 422 7684 c. (819) 664 5543
e. renestressmaster@gmail.com

Rene offers half or a full day customized training sessions on cultural competency and cultural safety, in
English and French, using an experiential learning approach, videos, small group exercises, Powerpoint,
and other materials.
August 2013


www.novascotiaimmigration.ca
Online Resources
Government of Nova Scotia
www.novascotia.ca/psc/employeeCentre/diverseWorkforce/toolkit.asp
The government of Nova Scotia has several documents available for consideration, including tips for
reducing cultural bias during interviews, a cultural competency guide, and a diversity checklist.

Cultural Competence Guide for Primary Healthcare Professionals in Nova Scotia
http://www.healthteamnovascotia.ca/cultural_competence/Cultural_Competence_guide_for_P
rimary_Health_Care_Professionals.pdf

This cultural competence guide created by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness provides
an overview of cultural competence for the healthcare field.

Skills Online NS
www.skillsonlinens.com
Users can access online learning materials, including a free course on Fundamentals of Cross Cultural
Communication.

Welcoming Workplaces
http://workplaceinitiatives.novascotia.ca/documents/Welcoming_Workplaces_2012.pdf
This document provides support and advice to Nova Scotia employers looking to hire immigrant
employees.


Compiled by:
Nova Scotia Office of Immigration
www.novascotiaimmigration.ca
p. (902) 424 5230 f. (902) 424 7936
e. nsnp@gov.ns.ca