Socially Responsible Values
Oceanica Cleaning was envisioned and founded on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) People. Our services are provided beyond these territories and in unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations.
We are grateful to work, live and learn in these lands. And equally importantly, we are committed to doing the work as settlers to educate ourselves and put active action towards reconciliation.
Reconciliation
Education: As the founder of the company, I have taken numerous courses on Indigeneity by First Nation, Metis, and globally Indigenous scholars. I continue reading academic and non-academic publications by Indigenous authors. All to learn of the histories of colonial violence and resistance of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island– specially of issues on the territories I live and have lived in. All towards unlearning and relearning what immigrant settler and Indigenous relations could like, and how I can support and show up in solidarity.
Calls to Action: As Oceanica Cleaning grows, we are thinking of ways to listen to, respond to, and implement the Calls to Action for companies outlined in the TRC’s Calls to Action document. We are committed to listening to Indigenous leadership on how settlers and businesses can do and walk the walk of reconciliation.
Community- based
Not just a geographical indicator, a political commitment to giving back.
Starting fiscal year 2027-2028, based on annual profits of this current period (so this year!), we give back 5% to local BC charities.
As a customer, you can vote on what organization the donations should go to after the payment is finalized. Please see this link for the terms and services of the voting.
The 2026 chosen organizations
Disrupting abusive practices, transforming the industry
A history of repeated exploitation of workers
Too often in the janitorial and professional cleaning industry workers are exploited through underpaid wages, understaffed assignments, and reliance on toxic chemicals without the necessary employer-provided PPE.
Oceanica cleaning is a movement reshaping how societies and companies can work valuing the work of women of colour and uplifting them
<> <>
Oceanica cleaning is a movement reshaping how societies and companies can work valuing the work of women of colour and uplifting them <> <>
Oceanica Cleaning- a movement of ethical, worker-centered practices
We are not just a company. Oceanica cleaning is a movement reshaping how societies and companies can work valuing the work of women of colour and uplifting them
We are living proof that successful and profitable companies can have fair wages, ethical employment practices, sustainability values, and anti-oppressive values.
Fair Wages
Cleaning services are essential for peace of mind and to keep operations of business running.
We want to recognize the importance of this labour by providing everyone at OC fair wages.
We follow the City of Vancouver’s Fair wages standards, and as the company grows, we increase everyone’s wages.
Wellbeing
Most mainstream cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that even small portions over time can have severe health effects on the people using them. The likelihood of negative health effects is exponentially increased for people who use them regularly such as professional cleaners.
Thus we make sure to only get healthy and effective cleaning products that do not use harsh chemicals ingredients and instead have primarily natural ingredients.
When purchasing cleaning tools we consider the ergonomic nature of the tools. We want to ensure we have tools that reduce unnecessary body strain. Better tools lead to healthier outcomes and better cleaning results.
Anti-Exploitation
We wish we did not have to say this, but this is the reality of the societies we live on. Many cleaning companies have unethical practices such as underpaying below the minimum wage, providing no PPE, understaffing workers, and many more exploitative practices.
At Oceanica Cleaning we strongly oppose these practices, and do not implement them in our operations. We strive beyond these low-bar standards towards ethical employment standards that give workers reasonable workloads, fair wages, PPE, comprehensive training, and psychologically and physically safe workplaces.