Awards program praises immigrant-friendly businesses

DiversityWorks
June 6, 2006

By DiversityWorks staff

A number of Canadian businesses were lauded at the first annual Immigrant Success Awards in Toronto for hiring foreign-trained immigrants and recognizing the value of a diverse workplace.

“The idea [of the awards] is to give a sense of passion, good examples and to celebrate,” said Ratna Omidvar, executive director of the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), a local organization dedicated to improving access to employment for immigrants.

The event was a feature of A World of Experience Week, a public awareness campaign highlighting the importance of integrating skilled immigrants into the workforce. Four awards were presented to businesses and two to individuals who have made hiring skilled immigrants and workplace diversity a priority.

Ernst & Young took the top prize in the large employer category. Almost a quarter of its 3,400 Canadian employees are skilled immigrants.

“We want to send the message that if Ernst & Young can do it, so can you,” said Omidvar at the ceremony in the Royal Bank tower on Bay Street.

Other recipients included the Family Service Association of Toronto, i3DVR International and St. Michael’s Hospital.

Individual awards were handed out to Amy Go, executive director of the Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, and Ken Pustai, senior vice-president of human resources at TD Bank Financial Group.

“Immigrant’s contributions are crucial to our global competitive edge as well as the success of our country as a whole.

When immigrants to Canada realize their workplace potential, every single Canadian benefits,” said Omidvar.

TRIEC’s week-long series included seminars, mentorship programs, networking events and the awards show. Each set out to recognize immigrants who have contributed to the vibrancy of the marketplace and the corporate leaders who have enabled their success.

Federal Immigration Minister Monte Solberg, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Mike Colle and Toronto Mayor David Miller all took part in the campaign. Numerous Canadian business leaders were also in attendance.

“Immigrants bring their international expertise, experience, language and cultural knowledge to the marketplace,” said Dominic D’Alessandro, President and CEO of Manulife Financial.

According to D’Alessandro, this event could not have come at a better time.

By 2011, immigrants are expected to provide 100 per cent of Canada’s net labour market growth.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, the lack of recognition of qualifications and experience of immigrants costs the country an estimated $3.42 to $4.97 billion annually. Over 40 per cent of immigrants arriving in the 1990s had at least one university degree compared to the Canadian average of 22 per cent.

Reference: DiversityWorks