Our Mandate
We are SQEP - Saskatchewan’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce.
SQEP (Saskatchewan Queer Entrepreneurs + Professionals) is a provincial, member-based nonprofit led by and for queer entrepreneurs and professionals.
Our community is made up of 2SLGBTQI+ people and allies from across all sectors, industries, and regions of Saskatchewan and beyond.
Our members include small business owners, freelancers, creatives, professionals, leaders, corporations, and changemakers who believe in building something better - together.
We’re not a traditional business network, and we don’t try to be.
Our mission is simple - to foster a vibrant and inclusive business ecosystem that empowers, connects, and uplifts queer people in business and professional sectors in Saskatchewan.
We accomplish our mission through:
Providing opportunities for queer and trans people to network and collaborate in business and professional spaces;
Advocating for the recognition, equal treatment, and celebration of queer and trans entrepreneurs and professionals in Saskatchewan; and
Engaging with member businesses, local organizations, and government through events, partnerships, and diverse initiatives that promote understanding, acceptance, and support for the Saskatchewan queer community in business and in the workplace.
Through programming, resources, and skill-building opportunities, we help 2SLGBTQI+ people and allies thrive - whether they’re launching their first venture or making a difference in their field or community.
SQEP began with a bold idea: that Saskatchewan deserved its own 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce.
In November of 2022, our co-founders hosted the first virtual gathering of 2SLGBTQI+ and allied professionals and entrepreneurs to explore what that could look like.
Inspired by similar organizations across Canada, all connected by the CQCC (Canada’s Queer Chamber of Commerce) the vision was clear: build a thriving, inclusive business ecosystem for queer folks in Saskatchewan.
In early 2023, the group hit a legal roadblock when they discovered that “Chamber of Commerce” is a protected term in Saskatchewan - but that didn’t stop them. Instead, they incorporated as Saskatchewan Queer Entrepreneurs and Professionals (SQEP) and kept moving forward.
Formal staffing began in 2024, and SQEP has been growing ever since.
SQEP operates across the territories of Treaty 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10, the traditional lands of the Nehiyaw (Cree), Dene, Nakota, Dakota, and the Saulteaux people and the homelands of the Métis, otherwise known today as Saskatchewan.
We acknowledge that the business we do and the communities we serve reside on stolen land. As a network committed to equity, connection, and resilience, we recognize our responsibility to build relationships rooted in respect, reciprocity, and repair.
We strive to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and professionals, amplify Indigiqueer voices, and take our lead from the caretakers of this land as we work together to create a more inclusive future.
Membership is open to individuals, businesses, and nonprofits across Canada.
SQEP envisions a future where the queer community plays a significant role in shaping Saskatchewan’s business and professional landscapes.
We believe queer people belong everywhere - including in business.
We’re proud to be the only organization in the province dedicated to this work - advocating for our members, celebrating their contributions to the economy, and challenging systems that stand in the way.
