GreenStep and Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce Partner to Advance Inclusive, Sustainable Tourism Across Canada

Press Release

GreenStep and Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) are joining forces to help tourism businesses across Canada become both more inclusive and more sustainable. Through this new partnership, GreenStep will actively promote the CGLCC’s Rainbow Registered accreditation, while the CGLCC will encourage its network to engage with GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway program—creating a clear, practical route for tourism destinations and businesses to elevate their performance on inclusion, sustainability, and community impact.

Inclusiveness and sustainability are closely connected, and this partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating positive change. True sustainability is not only about reducing environmental impact, but also about fostering equitable socio-economic opportunities and protecting cultural heritage. Likewise, inclusive practices ensure that diverse voices and communities are welcomed and respected, enriching both the workforce and the visitor experience. Together, GreenStep and CGLCC are advancing a vision of tourism where environmental stewardship, cultural authenticity, and social equity work side by side to create destinations that thrive for people and the planet.

“Bringing these programs together demonstrates the future of tourism—where inclusion and sustainability are not separate goals, but interconnected drivers of progress. This collaboration empowers businesses to embrace both values, creating a stronger and more welcoming tourism industry in Canada,” said Angela Nagy, CEO of GreenStep.

CLGCC’s Rainbow Registered program provides travelers with confidence that participating businesses meet rigorous standards for 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, while GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway offers step-by-step guidance, tools, and benchmarking to reduce emissions, strengthen resilience, and enhance positive benefits for local communities.

At CGLCC, we believe that inclusive and sustainable practices are essential to the future of tourism,” said Darrell Schuurman, CEO of the CGLCC. “Through this partnership with GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Pathway, we will share resources, training, and recognition opportunities that empower tourism organizations of all sizes to turn values into action. Together, Rainbow Registered and GreenStep give businesses the tools to welcome all travellers confidently while reducing their environmental footprint—signalling to guests at home and abroad that Canada is a destination that embraces them, sustainably and authentically.”

As leaders in sustainable and inclusive tourism, GreenStep and CGLCC are committed to building a stronger, more resilient visitor economy across Canada. This collaboration will inspire businesses nationwide to embrace innovation, demonstrate leadership, and ensure the future of tourism reflects the values of inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity.

About CGLCC

Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), founded in 2003, is the only chamber of commerce uniting and advocating for the over 100,000 2SLGBTQI+ owned and operated businesses in Canada.

This group is a powerful one: they generate over $22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians. Their impact on the economy is profound, but there are still barriers to accessing resources and partnerships to make Canada’s economy more inclusive. That’s where CGLCC and its network comes in.

CGLCC links 2SLGBTQI+ businesses in Canada to the wider business and corporate community. It fosters economic growth by supporting and nurturing 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, entrepreneurs, students and allies, and by helping Canada’s corporate world connect with the 2SLGBTQI+ business community. For more information, visit their website.

About GreenStep

Founded in 2008 in Canada, GreenStep transforms sustainability into a competitive advantage for businesses by helping them measure and reduce their carbon footprints and improve their sustainability performance. As a tech-enabled consulting firm, GreenStep pairs technology with a team of sustainability experts to provide a wide variety of services, including carbon measurement, energy studies, sustainability and net-zero strategy, action planning, and certifications. GreenStep has helped more than 6,000 businesses across North America identify opportunities to go green while saving money, building their brand, and meeting the growing consumer demand for responsible business. GreenStep is proud to be Climate Neutral Certified, Living Wage Certified, Rainbow Registered, and a Certified B Corp.

For media inquiries:

CGLCC
Julie-Léonora Kesch (she/her)
Manager, Marketing & Communications
julie-leonora.kesch@cglcc.ca
416-761-5151 x127

GreenStep
Kinsey Elliott (she/her)
Marketing Manager
kinsey@greenstep.ca
519-802-0801

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