HSBC Bank Canada Establishes New Scholarship to LGBTQ Community

HSBC Bank Canada has established generous new scholarships for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ), as well as those who advocate for them.

The scholarships, worth a total of $80,000, will be offered to four students a year over four years at several business schools in Toronto and Vancouver.

Award winners will receive $5,000 each. The scholarships will be awarded to students, gay or straight, with strong academic achievement who have demonstrated leadership and community service through their participation in LGBTQ organizations on campus.

The award also gives recipients an opportunity to be considered for summer internships and possible acceptance into HSBC management trainee programs upon graduation. A total of $80,000 will be awarded over the course of the four years.

Michael Webb, Senior Vice President of human resources for HSBC Canada, says, “Our business model is all about different perspectives and diversity.”

Webb is also an executive sponsor of HSBC Canada’s internal Pride Network, whose mission statement is to promote and support an inclusive environment through progressive policies, programmes and practices.

“If you look at the incredible economic impact that the LGBT community has in Canada and elsewhere,” continues Webb, “it is amazing the economic opportunity that is there. If you neglect it, ignore it, you are losing out on a phenomenal opportunity.”

The scholarships are offered to students from the following business schools: Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto; Schulich School of Business at York University; Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business, and Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia.

Schools mentioned:

• University of Toronto
• York University
• Simon Fraser University
• University of British Columbia