YMCA of Greater Toronto Recognized as One of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers
Toronto – March 2, 2021 – For the tenth consecutive year, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. This award recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs and initiatives.
The YMCA of Greater Toronto was selected in part because it has a diversity, equity and inclusion plan that prioritizes mental health, Indigenous peoples, special needs, immigrant communities, 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and confronting anti-Black racism.
“This past year has presented incredible challenges that will continue to impact our communities physically, mentally and socially,” says Medhat Mahdy, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “We are especially proud to be selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers in 2021 however we also know that much work lies ahead. We continue to focus on diversity, equity and inclusion and welcome all the dimensions of diversity that make each person unique.”
The YMCA of Greater Toronto values everyone’s uniqueness by:
- ensuring that people with different opinions, backgrounds and characteristics are represented to bring a variety of perspectives;
- creating an environment that supports people with different behaviours, attitudes and beliefs working together to help everyone shine; and
- encouraging diversity of thought and experience across all our interactions.
This past year was not just a year of COVID-19; it was also a time when issues of anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination moved to the front burner. The pandemic has affected people from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities disproportionately more than others. The Y is committed to continued progress on its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan which includes confronting anti-Black racism.
In addition to being among Canada’s Best Diversity Employers (2021), the YMCA of Greater Toronto was also recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2021), one of the Greater Toronto’s Top Employers (2021) and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers (2020).
About the YMCA of Greater Toronto
The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charity that ignites the potential in people, helping them grow, lead, and give back to their communities. For 170 years, the YMCA of Greater Toronto has provided opportunities for people to shine through a variety of programs and services including health and fitness, licensed child care, camps, employment and immigrant services, education and training, and services for youth, families and seniors. Serving diverse communities across the Greater Toronto Area with kindness, well-being, integrity, inclusiveness, respect and optimism, last year the YMCA made more than 700,000 connections across 450 locations. For more information visit ymcagta.org.
