2023 was a big year for both of our branches in Canada and the UK.  In Canada we were fortunate to work alongside policymakers and legislators in several provinces to aid in the creation of bills banning the misuse of NDAs. In the UK we made our voluntary education pledge law! The pledge was backed by the Department for Education and in February an amendment to the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act was passed which prohibits the use of NDAs in cases of sexual misconduct, harassment, bullying and discrimination. The Bill received Royal Assent in record time this May and means millions of students and thousands of staff are now protected from abusive NDAs. This is the FIRST LAW OF ITS KIND IN THE UK prohibiting the use of NDA’s to cover up abuse.

In the UK we were lucky enough to receive funding from two sourcing, the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust and Caryn Mandabach who have provided the campaign with significant support so that this important work can be stepped up a gear. CBMS UK are also now part of the Breakthrough Accelerator 2023 program. Breakthrough support campaigns led by people with direct experience of issues to ensure their campaign has the impact intended.
 
2023 presented a few challenges, mainly working with a small team as the campaign and the conversation of banning of misuse of NDAs exploded.  We have been working with a mix of volunteers and paid co-workers, however, there are still notable gaps that need to be filled. In September the UK team were able to hire our first proper employee. Adapting the team to a mix of volunteers and paid workers was an adjustment but we have found our rhythm.
 
In 2024, we hope to receive more funding to allow us to hire on those people and positions needed within our campaign.  In Canada our campaign is in need of a French speaking individual so we can participate in a bigger role in our bilingual country.  Having a team member who can speak, translate both the spoken and written word from English to French will allow us to work with legislators in Quebec but also allow us to help more individuals across the country by making the information we provide accessible to them.

In the UK in 2024 we are now mirroring our education initiative with our Business Pledge, asking businesses from all sectors across the country to sign up. This pledge was discussed in a Westminster Hall Debate on NDA’s, where unified cross party MP's demanded that the Government broaden the protections afforded to higher education to all of the economic workforce. The pledge will be officially launched in the coming months with the first signatories from each sector being leading lights in responsible business and employee relations.