CHEQUE
YOUR
PRIVILEGE
Help us use the non-diversity of today to fund the diversity of tomorrow.
Canada has no shortage of diverse talent, yet our film and media industries are overwhelmingly straight and white. And that’s a problem, both for the BIPOC and the LGBTQ+ folk trying to find their place in these industries as well as for the straight white people who feel uncomfortable benefitting from an advantage they never asked for.
But we don’t want them to be uncomfortable. We want them to help.
WHY IS PRIVILEGE
THE PROBLEM?
The simple truth is that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth often don’t have the same privileges their peers take for granted. Privileges like having family connections in the field, attending film school, the stability required to take unpaid internships, or even the simple ability to show up to work and feel like they belong.
Because of this disparity, so many talented people who could flourish in our industries never get the chance to follow their passion.
WHAT DOES
IT MEAN TO CHEQUE
YOUR PRIVILEGE?
It means you will be a part of a collaborative effort to champion diversity across Canada’s film and media industries. These industries are based primarily in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver; three of the most diverse cities in one of the world’s most diverse countries. But the sector does not reflect that diversity. For example, according to a 2020 ICA report, 32% of Ontario agency employees identify as racialized while over 50% of the general population of Toronto identifies as racialized.
When you Cheque Your Privilege, you’re pledging to help us level the playing field of our film and media landscape and ensure the stories our industries tell reflect the lives and experiences of all Canadians who live here.
WHERE DO WE START?
At the very least, Canada’s film and media industries should reflect the diversity of our field’s hub cities. With this aspiration as the initial goal of our campaign, we are asking every studio, ad agency, editing house, talent agency, etc., with a workforce that is not comprised of at least 40% of people who identify as diverse, to commit to this pledge.
For those who think 40% is too low, we agree. But we need to start somewhere.
HOW DOES
CHEQUING
YOUR PRIVILEGE HELP?
The problem isn’t just that the sector isn’t hiring enough diverse talent. It’s that there simply isn’t enough diverse talent with the right training and experience to go around. We want to bridge the privilege gap in film, production, and media by offering equitable opportunities to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth.
Programs at POV bring a sense of hope not only by empowering diverse creatives to tell their stories but also by developing their technical skills. Beyond training, POV serves as a bridge, connecting these aspiring creatives with industry professionals and employment opportunities.
Your donations will directly fund these important programs and help us grow a new generation of diverse talent. And the bigger our sector’s pool of diverse talent, the easier it will be for employers to find the right person for the job.
HOW ELSE
CAN I HELP?
We want to make a lasting, positive change in our sector. So, in addition to providing funding for important POV programs, we are asking businesses to champion diversity within their workplace by:
Providing paid internships for grads from organizations like POV
Hiring diverse creatives in all departments
Promoting diverse creatives into positions of influence
Donating resources to initiatives and organizations that champion diversity
CHECK
WHO’S CHEQUING
Doing the right thing should be celebrated. Each year, businesses that pledge to cheque their privilege and commit to champion diversity will be awarded a badge to show their commitment. We’re proud to be working towards a more diverse future with these businesses.
DO I NEED
TO BE A BUSINESS
TO DONATE?
Not at all.
Cheque Your Privilege is about encouraging businesses to help us address the sector’s systemic issues, but we invite anyone who values the innovation, creativity, and economic benefit that a diverse talent pool brings to donate.
