Apr

7

New National Award Recognizes ‘Canada’s Best Diversity Employers’

Filed Under Gay Awards, Workplace Equality 

Diversity NewsTORONTO, (CNW) - Twenty five of Canada’s most widely recognized and successful companies are on an inaugural list of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, an award that was launched today by Mediacorp Canada Inc., BMO Financial Group and TWI Inc. to recognize companies and organizations that lead the nation in creating diverse and inclusive workplaces and to encourage other companies across Canada to adopt similar best practices.

The 2008 list of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers singles out 25 employers across Canada for exemplary initiatives among a range of diversity groups.

“These employers represent the best face of Canada’s cultural and social mosaic,” said Richard Yerema, editor of the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project, which managed the selection process. “This year’s list shows that, regardless of your industry or region, progressive employers are embracing Canada’s diversity and turning it into a valuable asset for their organizations.”

The new competition recognizes employers that have developed exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs for employees of five diverse groups: (a) Women; (b) Members of visible minorities; (c) Persons with disabilities; (d) Aboriginal peoples; and (d) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered/Transexual (LGBT) peoples.

The competition is managed by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which publishes the annual guide to Canada’s Top 100 Employers, in partnership with BMO Financial Group and TWI Inc.

“It’s extremely important for employers in every industry and region of Canada to respond to the changing face of the country given the challenges that we face to remain competitive internationally and to sustain a vibrant and productive labour market,” said April Taggart, Senior Vice-President of Talent Management & Diversity at BMO Financial Group. “As a company, we long ago recognized the business case for diversity, and we also believe that by helping to share best practices - we can further diversity as a whole.”

“Our objective in the new competition is to identify employers that see diversity and inclusiveness as an essential part of their business strategy,” said Trevor Wilson, President of TWI Inc. “These employers seek to create work environments that optimize the diverse talents of their total workforce by expanding their scope beyond the lens of race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.”

The editors’ full reasons will be published on the competition’s website later this spring at www.CanadasTop100.com/diversity

The complete list of the 2008 winners of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers is available here.

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