The Employment Services Centre of Prescott-Russell (CSEPR) has recognized 10 employers across the region who have championed the cause of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
With the help of CSEPR, the employers have concentrated their efforts on hiring people from racial minorities, people with disabilities, and who identify as LGBTQ.
The employers are the A&W restaurant in Rockland, Calypso Park in Limoges, Contak Solutions in Hawkesbury, Vankleek Hill Foodland, Groupe Convex Prescott-Russell, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, L’Orignal Packing Daniel’s No Frills in Casselman, Structures Héritage in Hawkesbury, and Tulmar Safety Systems in Hawkesbury. The employers were recognized by CSEPR at an event in Hawkesbury on Wednesday, January 31.
Visible minorities and people with disabilities continue to experience higher levels of unemployment. CSEPR Executive Director Caroline said there are 412,000 people with disabilities in Canada, and 3,000 of them live in Prescott and Russell counties.
“We need champions like you to spread the word about the advantages and best practices of people who are under-represented in the workforce,” Arcand told the employers.
As part of the EDI strategy, CSEPR held a Diversity Summit in Hawkesbury in November, 2023 which was attended by representatives of business and government from across the region. CSEPR is also working with the chambers of commerce in Hawkesbury, Prescott-Russell, and Clarence-Rockland on encouraging more diverse and inclusive hiring by local businesses.
On January 31, a new logo was unveiled to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in local workplaces. Each of the businesses being recognized was presented with a decal of the logo to display on their windows and doors as both a sign of their commitment to employees, but also to clients.
CSEPR is already accepting nominations for businesses championing EDI in 2024. The first nominee is steel manufacturer Ivaco Rolling Mills of L’Orignal.
