NOVEMBER 30, 2013 — Ontario is recognizing the first ever recipients of the Ontario Award for Leadership in Immigrant Employment, for their role in championing diversity and supporting jobs in their communities. Five outstanding recipients from across the province were honoured during a ceremony at the 2013 Ontario Economic Summit in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They included:

“Our first five recipients of the Ontario Award for Leadership in Immigrant Employment are champions of immigrant success. These outstanding winners recognize the benefits of hiring a diverse workforce. Their hiring practices, innovation and inclusive business cultures pave the way for greater economic growth in this province by connecting our labour force to the global community.”

—Michael Coteau,
Minister of Citizenship
and Immigration

Marion Annau, Champion – Small Organization
As Founder of Connect Legal in Toronto, the first legal services clinic of its kind in Canada, Marion has helped over 1,000 small business owners, including immigrants, get their companies off the ground through one-on-one legal advice and interactive workshops.

WIL Employment, Champion – Large Organization
 Since 1984, WIL Employment has been helping immigrants achieve success in London, Ontario, through finding newcomers career and training opportunities and assisting them in adapting to the evolving expectations of employers.

Dyversity Communications, Employer – Small Organization
The company connects Canadian and global brands with growing ethnic consumers in Canada. Based in Thornhill, almost the entire team is first generation immigrants, and the company invests resources towards hiring, training and retaining its employees.

Mount Sinai Hospital, Employer – Large Organization
The hospital employs a diverse team of nurses, physicians and clinicians, to help them serve the City of Toronto’s multicultural community. The hospital supports its staff through mentorship, training and strategic partnerships, so that their patients benefit from culturally sensitive expert care.

Joseph Ng, Entrepreneur Category
Founder of JNE Consulting Ltd., a full-service multidisciplinary engineering firm located in Hamilton, serving a wide range of industries. His group of companies employs hundreds of professionals, many of whom are newcomers to Ontario.

View the Ontario Award for Leadership in Immigrant Employment web page at Ontario.ca

Photo: Deputy Puta Chekwe and the recipients of the Ontario Award for Leadership in Immigrant Employment.

“Ontario presents award for leadership in immigrant employment.”canadianimmigrant.ca. Canadian Immigrant, 7 Nov. 2013. Web. 30 Nov. 2013.