Surrey – The City of Surrey has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2019. Canada’s Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across the country that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs, including programs for five major employee groups: Women; Members of visible minorities; Persons with disabilities; Aboriginal peoples; and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered/Transsexual (LGBT) peoples.
“We are honoured to receive this award and all that it represents,” said Mayor Doug McCallum. “Diversity is an important part of our city’s culture. Recognition on this level speaks volumes about the work we have done to promote, support, and celebrate diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and to advance Surrey as a welcoming community for all.”
The City of Surrey was selected based on innovative and progressive initiatives offered to create a more inclusive and respectful workplace. Highlights include:
- Creating an Inclusive Employer Awards program to recognize local businesses that create welcoming environments for persons with disabilities and partnering with Avia Employment Services and Surrey WorkBC to host an inclusive hiring fair.
- Adapting the City of Surrey’s recreational sports programming to support individuals with disabilities, such as wheelchair tennis, sledge hockey, power soccer, wheelchair basketball and an “I AM Game” initiative to introduce adapted sports to a broad audience.
- Developing a pilot program to help improve the economic prosperity of Indigenous peoples, refugees and youth aging out of care — the pilot will offer residents opportunities to gain work experience with the aim of transitioning to long-term employment.
The City of Surrey was also recently recognized in a separate category as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.
Get more information about Canada’s Best Diversity Employers.
