City of Toronto named one of Canada's best diversity employers

The City of Toronto is one of Canada’s best diversity employers.

This marks the second consecutive year that the City has been recognized for its “exceptional workplace diversity and inclusion programs.”

“As a leading organization that offers many diverse programs and initiatives, the City of Toronto is very deserving of this award,” said Mayor John Tory in a statement. “Diversity is our strength, and I commend the members of the Toronto Public Service, whose work helps make Toronto an inclusive and welcoming city that is a model for the rest of the world.”

The annual competition recognizes leaders who create inclusive workplaces and programs for employees from five groups: women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal Peoples and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) peoples.

To determine this year’s winners, the competition reviewed diversity and inclusiveness initiatives from employers who applied for the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. The finalists represent diversity in their industry and their region of Canada.

“The City of Toronto leads the way in championing diversity, access, inclusivity and producing equitable outcomes for City employees and the people we serve,” said City Manager Peter Wallace. “As one of Canada’s top employers, we must continue to create an environment that reflects our diverse communities and where everyone is treated equally and equitably.”

According to the competition selection, some of the reasons why the City of Toronto of was selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2017) are:

City of Toronto maintains a Women’s Network and manages the Toronto Regional Champion Campaign Protégée Program to help boost women’s participation in local government — through the program, young women receive mentoring from female city councillors and learn about the role of municipal councillor

In 2004, City of Toronto established the Profession to Profession Mentoring Immigrants program in response to employment barriers faced by skilled immigrants, creating approximately 1,500 mentoring relationships since the program’s inception — additionally, the City works with community organizations such as Career Bridge and Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council to facilitate internships and mentoring opportunities

City of Toronto created Accessibility Design Guidelines which can be used to conduct accessibility audits, audits of the physical environment, and plan for barrier-free development and renovations — the City also maintains a Disability Issues Committee to advise City Council on eliminating barriers faced by persons with disabilities, and acts as a liaison with external bodies on barriers to participate in public life and to achieve social, cultural and economic well-being

The City got high rankings for its physical workplace, benefits, and its compensation.

City of Toronto’s grades according to Canada’s Best Diversity Employers

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