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ACCREDITATIONS
Sustainable Winegrowing Ontario
Administered by: Ontario Craft Wineries and Grape Growers of Ontario
What’s Involved
Once wineries complete the SWO Certified questionnaire and wish to seek certification, they are to contact a verified auditor that is partnered with the OCW and GGO on this program. The audit process is a three-year cycle. In year one, the auditor conducts an on-site audit with winery and vineyard representatives while reviewing the questionnaires and requesting to see specific measures, as this ensures that questions have been answered correctly. Year two and three, the auditor conducts an online audit and reviews the questionnaire for any changes that have been made, and/or ensures previous recommendations have been implemented.
Cost
No cost to OCW and GGO members.
Independent audit fees do apply.
Renews annually.
Learn More! Watch the webinar below.
Rainbow Register
Administered by: Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CLGCC) partnered with Tourism HR Canada, thanks to funding from the Government of Canada.
What’s Involved
Accreditation is awarded following rigorous assessment and having successfully met the required standards. Accreditation demonstrates commitment and consistent effort in providing customer satisfaction through progressive policies and practices.
Cost
Small Business (0-10 employees) $49 sign-up; $250 3-year membership
Medium (11 – 100) $199 sign-up; $400 3-year
Large (101 + ) $274 sign-up; $525 3-year membership
Learn More! Watch the webinar below.
Feast On®️
Administered by: Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA)
What’s Involved
To become certified, businesses are required to provide proof that their production and/or procurement practices reflect a minimum standard of Ontario-grown or produced ingredients.
Cost
$500 annually
Learn More! Watch the webinar below.
PARTICIPATION, TRAINING, EDUCATION
The Right Amount
Administered by: Wine Growers Canada (WGC)
What’s Involved
A voluntary program to encourage responsible drinking for those adults who choose to drink, and not to support activities that encourage excessive or irresponsible consumption.
Cost
No Charge
Respect and Diversity in the Workplace
Administered by: The Canadian Diversity Initiative
What’s Involved
This self-paced online training addresses unacceptable behaviours, including discrimination, harassment, and bullying, and provides practical guidance on how to foster a respectful, inclusive workplace and customer-friendly culture. Upon completion, you will be able to download a Certificate of Completion.
Cost
$36.00 per participant
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
What’s Involved
Land acknowledgments show respect for Indigenous peoples and recognize their enduring connection to the land. They serve as an educational tool, raising awareness amoung employees and customers about the historical and ongoing impact of colonization on Indigenous communities. Including a land acknowledgement is an important step toward reconciliation.
Wines of Ontario has the following Land Acknowledgement on our website:
“We acknowledge that our wineries and vineyards are on the traditional territories of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk, Haudenosaunee, Mississauga and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi People. As guests of this land, we thank Indigenous Peoples for caring and protecting the lands and waters on which we work and live. In the spirit of peace, friendship and respect to all Indigenous Peoples who have and continue to live and work on these lands, we will continue to honour this place we call home.”
We encourage you, in addition to adopting this message or one provided by your Destination Marketing Organization, to review the Indigenous history of your vineyard through some of the resources provided on our page.
For further study see:
https://indigenoustourismontario.ca/resources
https://raic.org/sites/raic.org/files/raic_land_acknowledgement_resource_-_2021.pdf
A Calendar of Significant Canadian Cultural Days:
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/important-commemorative-days.html
