New Program Gives Refugee-Owned Businesses Access, Resources
HALIFAX — If you live in Canada, chances are you have shopped at, or even frequent, a business owned by a refugee. Nearly 15 percent of all refugees who make this country their home become entrepreneurs.
Despite this, refugees face many challenges and barriers to getting their businesses off the ground. They are often unfamiliar with laws, don’t have a large network of peers, and may not have many resources.
But a new, nation-wide initiative is looking to take down some of those barriers. The Tent Partnership for Refugees and the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council have launched a certification program for refugees who launch businesses within 10 years of their arrival.
The program, which is sponsored by TD Bank, will give these businesses better market access, allow them to grow their network, and offer mentorship and training opportunities.
Scarlet Cronin, the vice president of the Americas for Tent, said one of the motivations for starting the certification was to close an oversight in the system.
In Canada, businesses that are certified as minority-owned can tap into money earmarked for companies with supplier diversity initiatives. But many refugee business owners didn’t qualify because they weren’t officially permanent residents.
“We saw that as an oversight that was having a negative impact on refugees who are very entrepreneurial and have a wonderful opportunity to provide within their community when it comes to starting and growing businesses,” said Cronin.
The program officially launched on October 13 and Cronin said she hopes to have 50 refugee businesses certified within the first year.
One of the first business owners to sign up with the certification program is Nova Scotia’s most famous chocolate maker. Tareq Hadhad, the owner of Peace By Chocolate, says he is a believer in increasing diversity in Canada’s business world.
“I believe that there is a misconception about diversity; that it’s a box to check on a sheet,” said Hadhad. “But diversity is not actually a buzzword. It is something that we live and strive for every single day here in Canada.”
The story of the Hadhad family and the creation of Peace By Chocolate is so inspirational it was literally turned into a movie. A decade ago, they were forced to flee Damascus because of the war in Syria. The family owned a chocolate factory there that was founded by Hadhad’s father, Essam. That business was tragically lost when it was struck by a bomb.
“That was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the history of our family,” recalled Hadhad. “The factory was a representation of the blood, sweat, and tears my father had put into building. I think that killed the spirit of happiness, you know, within the hearts of our family.”
In 2016, the Hadhad family moved to the small town of Antigonish, NS; a community of people he now considers a second family. This is where he launched Peace By Chocolate. He credits his community for the company’s success, noting it takes a village to support refugees and their dreams.
He jokes how he once envisioned living in Toronto as an entrepreneur. And how his business, indeed, ended up on Bay Street- the one located in Antigonish, that is.
“We had a vision that we are not here to take,” stated Hadhad. “We are here to contribute and give back. And business was the fastest vehicle for us to reach that goal. The country and the community opened their arms and hearts.”
“At the same time we did not arrive in Canada empty; no immigrant or refugee arrives empty. We have our skillset, our talents and we started not from scratch. We started from experiences.”
Peace By Chocolate’s success comes, in large part, due to it’s marketing. It uses its chocolate as a way to share its story and promote peace, love, and acceptance worldwide.
“We really seek to reach customers who believe in what we believe in; the values of passion, enthusiasm, advocacy, contribution, and excellence,” said Hadhad. “With every chocolate piece that we make, we really pour our soul and heart into spreading happiness and kindness.”
The success of Peace By Chocolate continues to grow. The factory recently doubled in size and its products entered 400 Loblaws stores this fall.
But Hadhad still recalls the challenges he faced years ago when he was just starting Peace By Chocolate. The barriers he faced are the ones the Tent program is looking to ease for new business owners.
“Adjusting to the Canadian business culture was not an easy task to do. If you do business outside the country, and then you come here, you certainly must learn all the tricks, techniques, and resources that are available. And it’s a very different taxing system than the one we had back home.”
The benefits of the certification are already paying off for Peace By Chocolate. The Tent program gives members access to a new network of 150 corporate and government entities. Hadhad has already spoken with two of them in the hopes of fostering a business connection.
Derek Montague is a Huddle reporter in Halifax. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].