2025 Bow Valley Workplace Inclusion Charter

Commitment #09:

Emergency Planning

Create an emergency response plan that considers the needs of newcomers and English language learners.


See below on this page for details about how to complete this commitment.

⚠️ Instructions To Complete This Commitment:

Commitment: Create an emergency response plan that considers the needs of newcomers and English language learners.

Please complete all of the below requirements.

Part 1: Complete the provided checklist to ensure your Emergency Response Plan considers the needs of newcomers and English language learners.

Part 2: Submit notes about changes you made to your Emergency Response Plan as a result of completing the checklist.

  • You may choose to attach a copy of your Emergency Response Plan.

Returning Signatories who previously completed this commitment:

  • Required: Add a column to the checklist for “Annual Evaluation”

  • Emergency preparedness is an essential annual commitment for businesses. To ensure all employees understand and practice their roles in an emergency—as well as their personal preparedness—businesses must complete this requirement each year. While this initiative prioritizes multilingual and multicultural accessibility, annual participation benefits all employees by reinforcing critical safety protocols.

Submit Evidence When You have Completed This Commitment

  • Evidence for this commitment should include:

  • Once you have completed each of the above requirements, upload your evidence using our online form as soon as possible. This allows time for review and feedback.

  • Evidence may be in the form of a document, email, newsletter, meeting minutes, social media post, etc.

  • Deadline to submit all evidence for the 2025 WIC: 3PM, Monday, December 1st, 2025.

⏰ Key Dates:

Important dates to remember:

  • December 1st, 2025: Deadline to complete the Checklist. We strongly encourage employers to implement ahead of 2025 onboarding season (May). These actions taken ahead of wildfire season are critical in supporting preparedness.

  • By December 1st, 2025: Deadline to complete 2025 WIC commitments and submit all evidence.

✅ Why This Commitment Is Important:

During an emergency, it is critical that all of your team members know how to stay safe. If you offer staff housing, residents there also need timely and accurate information.

Your team members will have a range of comfort levels, access to, and expectations around key messages, technologies, and procedures. A ‘one size fits all’ approach to communication during an emergency will not meet the needs of a diverse workforce.

While there are many factors to consider when developing a robust Emergency Response Plan, this commitment asks you to start by considering the specific needs of the more than 1 in 4 Bow Valley residents who were born outside of Canada, as well as those whose first language is not English.

Intended Outcomes:

  1. Improved safety for all staff and residents
    Emergency plans that consider language and cultural differences help ensure everyone understands how to respond quickly and safely.

  2. Clearer communication during emergencies
    Using plain language, visuals, and multilingual resources reduces confusion and supports better decision-making during critical events.

  3. More inclusive and prepared workplace culture
    Planning for diverse needs strengthens trust, shows care for all team members, and helps meet legal and moral responsibilities during emergencies.

📝 Resources:

📧 Contact:

Supporting Agency

For questions and support to complete this commitment, please contact:

Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association

2025 WIC Commitments