BWA Member FAQ

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Check out our Member FAQ below. If your question isn’t answered there, send us a message on the Contact Us page!

FAQ: I’m interested in joining

I implement some practices but not all, can I join the BWA?

If you implement at least two Ethical Employment practices (e.g you pay higher than minimum wages, you offer paid sick days to all staff, you follow fair scheduling practices), you can join the BWA.

Many of our members offer some but not all practices, and have the ambition to implement more. Talk to us if you implement fewer than two practices and we can make a plan to onboard you in the future.

I don't have any staff on payroll yet but I support these practices, and one day will probably hire staff. Can I join the BWA?

The network is for organizations who have staff members, but you should sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop of all things BWA. When hiring is imminent, give us a shout and we can onboard you!

What does it mean to be a member?

Membership means you’re a leader at an organization that implements at least two Ethical Employment practices, and that you are supportive of all three practices.

It also means you unlock access to: 

  • A network of other Ethical Employers who you’ll meet at virtual and in-person events
  • Opportunities to speak to journalists about how Ethical Employment has been good for your business or your experience with commercial rent issues
  • Meetings with provincial and federal members of Parliament and city councillors to discuss your needs on commercial rent or your position on Ethical Employment 
  • Ongoing opportunities to take action in small ways, such as sending letters to your MPP in support of policy change
  • Your profile on our Directory, linking members and site visitors to your website 
  • Being featured in member stories on social media and our newsletter, a great opportunity to tell your story and promote your business 

You can be as involved as you want! We have members who are happy to send a few letters and others who love speaking to the media.

Since it’s currently zero-cost to sign up, why not try it out and see how you like it? 

Is there a fee associated with becoming a member?

At this time, we’re offering a no-cost membership. Invest your money in your staff instead!

Are memberships annual?

Memberships are renewed every May.  Renewing is a great opportunity to tell us about your successes + challenges from the prior year.  We love highlighting our member stories and this is another way for us to do that.

Do I have to talk to journalists or politicians if I join the BWA?

Not unless you want to! You can let us know upon joining if this is of interest to you.

We always provide speaking points and make sure you’re prepared before you speak to anyone. We want you to feel as ready as possible so that you can maximize your opportunity!

We’ve also got plans to provide media and Parliament Hill training as a resource for members, so stay tuned.

FAQ: I’m a BWA member

I'd like to tell my story in support of the BWA's work, but I'm nervous to talk to media. Can you help?

Don’t worry friend, we live for this!

Our members are our best spokespeople, so we make sure you are as prepared as possible. If there’s a topic you want to speak about, let us know. We will prepare speaking points for you and brief you before a speaking opportunity.

We can do one-to-one practice too – whatever it takes to get you feeling empowered and media-ready. Email us at info@betterwayalliance.ca and we can take it from there.

I know a few businesses who should be BWA Members. What's the process to refer business owners?

Hurray! We can’t wait for the day when every business owner qualifies to be a BWA member.

In the meantime, send us an email at info@betterwayalliance.ca with their name, contact information and business name. We’ll reach out to them – warm introductions are effective!

I have an idea for a collaborative event or partnership, who do I connect with?

Send us an email at info@betterwayalliance.ca with your idea and we will get in touch with you.

We’re always on the lookout for great locations for in-person events, organizations with similar missions for collaborative events, and other allies that are interested in amplifying each others’ work. Basically, if values align and we can come up with the budget, the more the merrier!

I want to speak to my MPP or city councillor about topics I’m reading about in the news. Can you help me?

Getting politically involved is awesome, and politicians are hungry to hear from business owners!

We can absolutely help you identify who to speak to about which topics, since different jurisdictions have different responsibilities. We can also provide you with speaking points or a letter template.

We might also be organizing an initiative that you can join, either by providing a quote or being available for a meeting.

I have so many thoughts on Ethical Employment and want to tell my story. What’s the best way to do this?

The short answer is, talk to us. We’ve always got some initiatives on the go and can identify a route that suits what you want to say and who you want to say it to.

Between social media channels, media pitches, blog stories, and political engagement, we promise to work with you to get your story out.