Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) announced the winners of the fourth annual Building Diversity Awards (BDA) this summer, recognizing individuals and organizations that champion diversity, equity and inclusion in Canada’s construction industry.
This year’s competition saw submissions from across the country and awards were presented at a gala hosted by media personalities Sebastian Clovis and Patricia Jaggernauth at the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto.
“The Building Diversity Awards Gala is our way of acknowledging leaders that are paving the way for a more inclusive construction industry and contributing to sustainable communities across Canada. We’re encouraged by a growing recognition that there is value in community partnerships and that endeavouring to reflect the communities that we serve just makes sense,” TCBN executive director Rosemarie Powell said in a statement
Established by TCBN in partnership with its community, labour, and industry partners, and presented by Desjardins Group, the BDA acknowledges the importance of championing diversity and leveraging local talent, to build the construction industry.
This year’s award recipients:
Leading on Diversity Award: Owner / Client / Developer:
- The Daniels Corporation
Leading on Diversity Award: Contractor:
- NCC Investment Group Inc.
Leading on Diversity Award: Union:
- The Canadian District of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCIA)
NexGen Builders Award: Mentor:
- Bubba Qwulshemut
NexGen Builders Award: Mentee:
- Nikki Muswaggon
NexGen Builders Award: Employer:
- Purpose Construction
Community Benefits Award: Champion:
- Brenda Ireland
Community Benefits Award: Coalition:
- Trades NL: Building Trades of Newfoundland and Labrador
Community Benefits Award: Project:
- Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement
Contractor to Watch Award:
- Keyz To Your Home Renovations
Contractor to Watch Award: Ontario:
- Fastwel Contractors Inc.
Contractor to Watch Award: Quebec:
- Retrofit Construction
Contractor to Watch: Nova Scotia:
- Carvery’s Construction Ltd
Community Benefits Award: Lifetime Achievement:
- Clifton Donegal
- David Lepage
- Jane Wilson
Key sponsors include Aecon, Carpenters Union, Deloitte, EllisDon, working alongside other generous partners, Toronto and York Region Labour Council, the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario and Canada’s Building Trades Unions as well as the Afro Canadian Contractors Association, BuildForce Canada, RESCON and ULI Toronto.
