Membership

Frequently Asked Questions

Membership FAQ

What’s the difference between membership and certification?

A CGLCC membership is available to anyone who is looking to grow their network in the LGBT+ business community and to support the work we do.

Members of CGLCC gain access to our thought leadership, membership directory, webinars and educational tools, networking events and the corporations who support us.

Certification is available to Canadian, for-profit businesses who are able to provide services to other businesses. They also have to meet all stringent criteria — including being at least 51% LGBT+-owned, operated and controlled. Certifying your business grants you access to exclusive round table sessions, diverse procurement practices and networking events with our Corporate Partners looking to diversify their supply chains.

Find out more about the certification process here.

What is the benefit of attending CGLCC events?

The best part about attending CGLCC events is networking with other LGBT+ professionals, entrepreneurs and the corporations who support us. You’ll connect with dozens of corporate buyers in one place who have a commitment to sourcing from diverse enterprises. This is a great way to meet supplier diversity professionals and buyers. These connections and relationships could evolve into buy-sell opportunities.

Supplier Diversity FAQ

What is the cost of membership?

Membership with CGLCC is now only $20 per month.

Note: If you are already a member of one of CGLCC’s regional affiliates (in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta or BC), you are automatically a Regional Associate Member of CGLCC.

What is the cost of certification?

A one-year certification, which allows you to access our Supplier Diversity Program and exclusive matchmaking opportunities as well as both private and public procurement practices, costs $449.

What are the requirements to become certified?

In order to become a CGLCC Certified Supplier, you must: operate in Canada; be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; and be at least 51% LGBT+-owned, operated and controlled. You also have to be able to provide services to other businesses and be a for-profit enterprise. There is no size requirement or limit to the size of your business.

See the certification process for more details.

What kind of documents do you need to provide as part of the application and certification process?

There are different requirements depending on if your business is a sole proprietorship, partnership or incorporated company. You will need to prove that at least 51% of your business is substantially owned, operated and controlled by self-identified LGBT+ individuals. Self-identification also needs to be corroborated and verified.

Our online application has the functionality to upload required documents. You need to upload all noted documentation for us to review in advance of your site visit by an assessor. The assessor may require additional documentation beyond this depending on the circumstances of your business.

How long does it take to get certified? Is there a time limit to complete the requirements?

Once we receive your completed application and fee, you will be contacted to set up a time for a site visit. Generally, the process can be completed within six weeks, however, the time frame depends on the applicant’s ability to prepare documentation and be available for the site visit.

We allow 90 days from the date of application to meet with the owner(s) and conduct our review. If there are extenuating circumstances, an extension may be granted.

What happens at the site visit?

The information that you supply in your application is verified during the site visit. The assessor will review your legal and financial documents; interview the owner(s) to become more familiar with your operations; and tour your facilities. This is also an opportunity to get to know you and your business and for you to ask any questions.

Why do you need all this information including sensitive documents?

Sensitive information like financial statements prove that you are conducting business as you’ve described in your application. These and your documents describing how you’re governed are used to verify that your business is at minimum 51% owned, operated and controlled by LGBT+ individuals. We do not use this information to evaluate your company’s profitability or capacity – it all simply helps us verify the nature of your business’ ownership and that you complete work in your industry as described.

It is critical to our Corporate Partners that certification is of a rigorous standard to comply with international supplier diversity criteria.

How will I know when I am approved?

After the site visit report is filed, we will inform you of your acceptance or alert you of any unresolved issues or reasons we cannot certify your business. Upon approval, we will send you a confirmation package including a Certificate of Certification.

How long does my certification last?

Certification is valid for a year from the date that it’s issued. Provided that your company continues to meet our criteria, you can renew in subsequent years simply by updating your information. However, after five years, we have to complete a full documentation review and site visit to re-certify you. The annual fee payment is required before each annual renewal period is confirmed.

Is certification with the CGLCC recognized in the US and with other corporations around the world?

We are constantly working to grow the visibility and recognition of CGLCC certification and its Certified Suppliers. We are affiliated with many global associations and Corporate Partners who do business in all parts of the world. That said, it is up to the individual corporations to determine if they track or include foreign contracts in their diversity spend.

Training Portal FAQ

Can I start a course right away?

Yes. As soon as you have completed the registration process, you will receive an email with your login information (including a PIN/Password). If you do not see this email immediately, please check your “spam” or “junk” folders. The security settings on your computer may have re-routed the email.

Are all required learning materials online?

Yes. Everything you need to complete an online course is included in the course content. There may be links to resource materials but these will be available to view, download and print without exiting the Training Portal.

How long do I have to complete my course?

Online learning is self-paced. This means each participant moves through the learning material at a rate that matches their learning style, prior understanding and availability.

You can log out at any time and log in again later using your PIN and Password. The system will remember where you left off and start you there the next time you log in. There is no expiry for accessing the course.

Do I need to use the same computer each time I log in?

No. You can access your account from any computer that has an Internet connection. You can also take your training using a smartphone or tablet.

Can I fail the course?

You cannot “fail” the course, though you can “fail” a test. Each online course includes mandatory testing to ensure that you understand course material. If you fail a test, you are given the opportunity to review the information and try again.

Test questions are randomly selected so that some questions may be repeated or unique. You can take a test repeatedly until you are able to verify knowledge retention by achieving 80%.

Does every online course provide a Certificate of Completion?

Yes. Each of the courses featured includes a Certificate of Completion. When you have achieved 80% or more on all mandatory testing for your course, you will immediately be able to download/print a Certificate of Completion with your name and the date your training was completed.

My password won’t work. What should I do?

First, check that your CAPS lock button is turned off, because passwords are case-sensitive.

When you logged in for the first time with your provided password, you were asked to create a password that only you would remember. If you still can’t access the course through your provided password or the personalized password you created, click the “forgot my password?” link on the login screen and the system will send you an email with your account information.