Nicolas Wegel is co-founder and managing director of EAC constructions Inc, a construction and renovation company not exactly like the others.
At first glance, the company’s website seems quite traditional. A closer look reveals that the company’s partner is the Quebec LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Then we look at the physical address: on Sainte-Catherine Street, right in Le Village. Oh, and we scroll down to their social media page, where we see a rainbow-colored construction vacation celebration cake and a Facebook post: “As an openly and proudly inclusive construction company, we know that differences are not yet a thing of the past. On this International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia we’d like to thank all our employees and tell them how proud and lucky we are of them. ❤️🏳️🌈”. We’re definitely under their spell!
Surprised by an openly proud construction company supporting the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia? We don’t blame you! We wanted to find figures on the presence of the LGBTQ2S+ community in the Quebec construction industry, and unfortunately, we couldn’t find any. The closest study we found was conducted by the Jasmin Roy Foundation, released in 2017. In it, we learn that “on the whole, the LGBT community is ready to say that Canadian society is relatively open to sexual and gender diversity, this openness is far from being felt as highly developed, with less than 10% of respondents judging Canadian society to be ‘very’ open to these realities and 45% judging it to be ‘not very or not at all open’. Regardless of age, more than a third of respondents say they have experienced discrimination related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, with the workplace being the place where this discrimination has been most felt.” Another McKinsey study, published in 2022, indicates that just over a quarter of LGBTQ+ respondents are not openly out at work.
It’s this very situation that Nicolas is fighting through his company. EAC Construction is the only openly pro-LGBTQ+ company in Canada. How do we know they’re the only ones? Because when Nicolas decided to make EAC Construction a committed company, he contacted the Quebec and Canadian LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, who confirmed that no construction company in the country had ever done the same.
Initiatives put in place to create an inclusive environment
- Every time a new employee is hired, Nicolas explains the company’s values to them. If they don’t agree, they can’t join the company! They agree not to disrespect anyone, not to commit any transphobic or homophobic word or deed, etc. If this ever happens, the company will take action. Should this happen, the employee will receive a warning. On the second warning, the employee is dismissed.
- The company does not require any previous construction experience or specific qualifications. They are willing to train motivated individuals.
- All employees who wish to do so can receive a membership of the Quebec LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, paid for by the company.
- Each office employee has his or her own personal corner, and receives an amount from the company to decorate it to his or her liking. Some buy plants, others lights. No decorative restrictions! In short, the company wants them to feel at home.
Nicolas admits that having these kinds of values in the industry inevitably limits the number of applications received. And the current labor shortage doesn’t help! Admittedly, he receives fewer applications, but those he does receive are completely in line with the company’s values, and above all, he succeeds in offering an inclusive workplace to people who can be themselves.
And on the customer side, that’s a big plus too! The entrepreneur has never received a negative comment from them. Quite the opposite, in fact. Customers choose the company exactly for its values. Nicolas explains that they are happy to see a stronger female presence than elsewhere.
The origins of the company
Nicolas is originally from France. He says he never experienced homophobia there. After a few years in Quebec, he decided to create Quebec’s first LGBTQ+ rugby team. That’s how he met his co-founder, Damien. But it was also through this league that he became aware of the discrimination, transphobia and homophobia experienced by his colleagues. They tell him horror stories! “When I’d go out on the building sites, I’d get sick of hearing the same homophobic comments over and over again,” he says. Realizing that he had grown up in a very privileged environment and that he could make a difference, he proposed to Damien to openly display their colors and make EAC Constructions an openly LGBTQ2S+ company!
Advice to other entrepreneurs
Nicolas reminds companies looking to follow in his footsteps that it’s not just about recruiting a diverse workforce, it’s about inclusion first. People from minority groups, who may have a history of discrimination, need to be assured that they will be welcomed and that they can present themselves authentically at work every day.
The entrepreneur believes that we all stand to gain from setting an example and rewarding effort, whatever the level from which we start. He explains: “It doesn’t matter if you’re clumsy at the start. You mustn’t be tetanized by the fear of doing it wrong, of not using the right word, or of not setting out with a 100% perfect plan from the start.” Nicolas suggests showing your colors, reaching out and letting the other person decide whether they want to come to you or not.
Nicolas wanted to join the 2020 Pride parade with an EAC Construction float. Maybe in 2022? Contact him to be part of it!
