Last week EmployAbilities hosted its 2nd Annual Employer Awards of Distinction. These awards celebrate and recognize progressive employers who demonstrate business excellence by working with and hiring persons with disabilities. This year’s breakfast was emceed by Seanna Collins.
Attendees heard inspiring presentations from Iris Saunders, Executive Director of EmployAbilities; Frank Oberle, Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities, Alberta Human Services; and Aleem Jaffer, an individual with a disability who has an encouraging and unique story.
The presentation of the Employers Awards of Distinction began after the opening speeches. After each announcement Minister Oberle and Iris Saunders presented the prestigious award. The winners were honoured with an escort onto the stage from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The award winners were as follows:
Accessibility Award of Distinction went to TD Canada Trust.
Small Business Award of Distinction went to Cowan Imaging Group.
Employer of Youth Award of Distinction went to Bonnie Doon Bowling Lanes.
Community Initiative Award of Distinction went to the Edmonton Journal.
Diversity Leadership Award of Distinction went to Sobey’s Edmonton.
Employer of Persons with Disabilities Award of Distinction went to DynalifeDX Diagnostic Laboratory Services.
The evening concluded with a few words from Vern Albush of Servus Credit Union, one of the many sponsors of the event.
“Thank you once again to our sponsors, Service Canada, Servus Credit Union, Mobrey Gil, Edmonton Journal, Allstate and Sun Life,” said Albush. “The success of this morning’s event could not have been possible without the help of the many EmployAbilities staff and volunteers who helped make this event possible.”
EmployAbilities will be featuring each of these award winning employers in the blog over the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
