Two years ago, sixteen leaders from community, labour and industry came together to brainstorm strategies for how to incentivize and recognize the different construction industry leaders, champions and initiatives that we were starting to witness as the community benefits movement gained momentum across Ontario.
Yesterday, that vision materialized with the first ever Building Diversity Awards Celebration Gala.
Awards were presented in 5 categories, showcasing an owner-client, contractor and union that are Leading On Diversity Best Practices, an individual Community Benefits Champion and a NextGen Builders Champion Mentor or Mentee. The following outstanding were selected by an independent judging panel to be honored with this distinguished award; Metrolinx, Leading on Diversity – Client/Owner, Crosslinx Transit Solutions, Leading on Diversity – Contractor, LiUNA Local 506, Leading on Diversity, Union, Chris Campbell, Community Benefits Champion and Kimoy Francique, NexGen Builders Champion. See addendum attached for more details on each recipient.
Award recipients were recognized for one or more steps they are taking that correspond to the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks(standards for organizations around the world), as adapted by BuildForce Canada for the Construction Industry.
The construction industry is a vital part of the Canadian economy. With the recent economic downturn due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is projected that the construction sector will become even more relevant as stimulus dollars are invested into infrastructure projects.
The BDA Awards Gala received overwhelming response from the industry, with over 400 people attending. “This it is a true demonstration of the industry’s commitment to our collective vision of increasing diversity in construction. We thank our generous sponsors, our representatives from all levels of government turned out to demonstrate their support as well as well as our volunteers and mentors who give of your time to support the next generation of builders.” Says Rosemarie Powell, Executive Director of the Toronto Community Benefits Network.
The Ontario General Contractors Association, along with construction industry leaders such as EllisDon, AECON and Tridel have embraced the awards along with Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) as strategies to advance the participation of Black, Indigenous and other racialized groups including women, youth and newcomers in the construction sector.
“Supporting real efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in the construction industry is where we must stand,” said Richard Whyte, Chief Estimator, Toronto Civil Division, EllisDon.
The gala featured keynote C. David Moody, owner of C. D. Moody Construction Company, Inc., now one of the largest African-American-owned construction companies in America.
Speakers included Geoff Smith, President and CEO EllisDon, Dahabo Amed-Omer Executive Director of Black North initiative, Rosemarie Powell, who leads Toronto Community Benefits Network, Ehren Cory, CEO Canada Infrastructure Bank, Mayor John Tory and more.
In addition, the Awards Gala featured some amazing artistic performances from local talent, including the unique sounds of Quincy Bullen, King, Nataga Shachu and a rising spoken word star, Hannah Flores.
To learn more about the Building Diversity Awards and the award recipients, click here: https://buildingdiversity.ca and https://buildingdiversity.ca/awards.
Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) in partnership with community, labour and construction industry partners, is pleased to announce the first annual Building Diversity Awards (BDA) Gala, recognizing exemplary contractors, unions and client/owners as well as industry champions who are leading in diversity, equity and inclusion.
About Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN)
The Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) has built a strong community-labour partnership with a support base of workforce development agencies, learning institutions and funders. Collectively, TCBN is having impact on how the development process works, guided by the principles of the foundation document crafted by our members and supporters. In it, TCBN envision Toronto as an inclusive, thriving city in which all residents have equitable opportunities to contribute to healthy communities and a prospering economy.
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