Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

We are committed to building a health-care system and workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and included.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement of Commitment outlines our dedication to putting these values into action. It reflects our responsibility to provide equitable access to care, create respectful workplaces and ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging.

DEI is central to our mission and our ICARE values: Innovation, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. These values guide every interaction, decision and service we deliver across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The DEI Statement of Commitment was developed collaboratively through consultation with staff, physicians and members of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation (DEIR) Council. It reflects the voices, experiences and ideas shared across NL Health Services and was guided by our ICARE values.

Pictured above: Standly, Registered Nurse, NL Health Services

DEI Statement of Commitment

At Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services, we are committed to fostering a health-care system and workplace where every patient, resident, family, employee, physician and volunteer feels respected, valued and included.

We believe that diversity strengthens and enriches our workplaces and communities and we are dedicated to providing fair treatment and equitable opportunities to all, regardless of identity, background or lived experiences. By embracing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), we create more meaningful, accessible and culturally safe experiences for everyone we serve and employ.

This work is grounded in our core values—Innovation, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence (ICARE)—which guide everything we do. These values inspire us to continuously advance equitable and inclusive care and foster a workplace culture of equity and belonging that reflects and honours the diversity within Newfoundland and Labrador’s communities.

Achieving true equity is an ongoing journey that requires us to listen, learn and act in partnership with others. We are committed to working with community partners, Indigenous Peoples, individuals with lived experience, DEI experts, and the people living in our province. By working together, we will create a more inclusive system grounded in mutual respect and cultural humility.

We recognize that many groups in our province experience health and employment disparities due to social, economic and structural inequities. As part of our journey towards equity, we are taking meaningful action to remove barriers to care and employment wherever possible. This includes advancing reconciliation, improving accessibility, addressing bias and discrimination, and incorporating equitable practices across our care environments and workplaces. These efforts reflect our commitment to embedding DEI into the core identity of NL Health Services in a structured and sustainable way.

Through continued collaboration, reflection and sustained effort, we will support our vision, ‘Health and Well-Being. Every Person. Every Community.’ Together, we are building a health-care system where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Download PDF statement

Why DEI Matters

Every person’s health and well-being are shaped by many factors including identity, culture, language, geography and lived experience. When our workplaces and care environments are inclusive, people feel safer, are more engaged and receive better care.

Our commitment to DEI helps:

Create fair and respectful workplaces where everyone can contribute and thrive.
Improve health outcomes by making care culturally safe and accessible.
Build trust with the people and communities we serve.

We know that fostering inclusion is an ongoing process, one that requires listening, learning and continuous improvement.

About the DEIR Council

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation (DEIR) Council brings together staff, physicians and community partners who are passionate about advancing inclusion across NL Health Services.

The council advises on DEI strategy, identified opportunities for improvement and helps ensure diverse voices are represented in decision-making.

Connect with the DEIR Council

DEI Frequently Asked Questions

Why does NL Health Services need a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Statement of Commitment?

The DEI Statement of Commitment reflects NL Health Services’ dedication to creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace and care environment. We recognize that both staff and patients may face barriers based on identity or lived experience, and we are committed to addressing these challenges through meaningful action.

Our staff, physicians, patients, residents, volunteers and communities want to know where we stand. This statement provides a clear, shared expression of our values and our belief that DEI is essential to delivering respectful, culturally safe care and to building a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

How will this commitment be reflected in day-to-day operations and decision-making?

We all share responsibility for improving our care and workplace environments for people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. It is our expectation that every NL Health Services employee applies the ICARE values to their daily work and decision making, modelling the values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

How does this commitment impact recruitment, promotion and retention?

The Statement of Commitment reflects our dedication to fair and equitable treatment for all current and future NL Health Services’ staff, physicians and volunteers. As an organization, we value merit-based hiring and are committed to recruiting staff and physicians based on skills and qualifications, building a workforce driven by excellence. We also recognize that some people face systemic barriers to employment even when they are fully qualified.

We are committed to identifying and reducing these barriers wherever possible. This begins with collecting data, listening to people with lived experience and learning from experts so we can build more equitable processes for recruitment, promotion and retention.

What does the DEI Statement of Commitment mean for patients and residents?

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion helps create care environments where everyone feels respected and safe, including staff, physicians, patients, residents, families, visitors and volunteers.

This means that you will be treated with respect, dignity and compassion, no matter your background, identity or lived experience. Our health-care teams are becoming more diverse and culturally aware so we can better understand and respond to the needs of all people we serve. We are committed to taking meaningful actions to remove barriers wherever possible to improve access to equitable care for all.

We are also providing staff, physicians and volunteers with learning, tools and resources that support inclusive care every day.

To help us build a health-care system and workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and included, we ask that all patients, residents and visitors help maintain a positive and respectful space for everyone who works, volunteers and receives care through NL Health Services.

Who is the intended audience for the toolkit?

The DEI Toolkit is designed for all staff, physicians and volunteers, no matter where you are on your DEI learning journey. Whether you’re just getting started or already have experience applying DEI principles, the toolkit offers explanations of key concepts and practical ways to apply them in your work.

It includes examples, checklists and tips to help you build confidence and integrate DEI into everyday interactions.

How should departments use the toolkit in their work?

Departments can use the toolkit to explore key DEI concepts and find tools and resources to help put inclusion into practice. Consider using sections of the toolkit as discussion starters at team meetings or reviewing one concept each month to spark conversation and reflection.

The toolkit also includes suggestions for making communication, teamwork and service delivery more inclusive.

What support is available for staff who want to learn more about DEI?

NL Health Services’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Reconciliation (DEIR) Council offers resources and guidance for staff and teams that want to strengthen their DEI understanding and practices. To learn more, contact aplaceforall@nlhealthservices.ca for support or to connect with a council member.

Stay tuned for future DEI learning opportunities, including the first DEIR Summit on November 19, 2025, as well as additional learning sessions announced through the provincial employee newsletter!

Will there be training sessions or workshops based on the toolkit?

Yes! Four information sessions will be held in early 2026 to share more about the DEI Statement of Commitment and toolkit.

NL Health Services also plans to launch a lunch and learn series focused on the concepts and practices outlined in the toolkit, following the initial information sessions.

How will NL Health Services measure DEI progress?

We know how important it is to track progress and demonstrate real impact. NL Health Services is working to integrate DEI data tracking into our human resources and learning systems.

As we develop a broader DEI strategy for staff, volunteers, patients and residents, we will collaborate with our evaluation and HR data teams to identify meaningful metrics and tools to measure learning, awareness, implementation and long-term improvement.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

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