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Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards

About the Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards 

The Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards (IEEA) is an annual event to recognize and celebrate Abbotsford employers who are going above and beyond to create inclusive workplaces for people of all abilities.

This includes actively employing, providing work experience placements, community advocacy, and other activities related to including persons with a diverse ability in the workplace. 

We look forward to another event this fall to recognize inclusive employers and celebrate diversity.

2023 Event Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Rotary at Work Logo
Rotary at Work Logo
Archway Logo

Bronze Sponsor

Bethesda

Supporter Sponsors

Communitas
Buxton Consulting Ltd. Logo

Event Partners

Archway Logo

Archway is a non-profit social service agency with 90+ programs and has been serving the community for over 50 years. Archway’s Employing People in the Community (EPIC) program helps people with diverse abilities to find and maintain meaningful and sustainable employment.

Bethesda

Bethesda has been supporting people with diverse abilities for over 50 years. They offer a range of services including living options, community inclusion, supported independent living, summer camps, employment services and family support services.

Communitas

Communitas creates community for people of all abilities by facilitating home living, community support, employment, social enterprises, and respite for people living with disabilities in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island.

Work BC
Work BC

WorkBC is a comprehensive employment resource that supports job seekers to find meaningful employment. They also offer guidance and resources to employers to foster inclusive hiring practices that embrace the diverse abilities of individuals.

Please email inclusive.employer@gmail.com to learn more about the programs offered by these organizations and how you can become an inclusive employer.

Nomination Information 

Nominations for 2023 are now CLOSED. 

We will be presenting five awards to inclusive employers and individuals in Abbotsford. Award recipients will be announced at the awards breakfast in October.  

The Selection Committee is comprised of staff from each of the partner organizations who choose the winner’s at their discretion, based on the information contained in the nomination as well as information requested of the nominees themselves. 

Click to see the full rules and guidelines.

Award Categories

See guidelines for full details on the different categories.

  • Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
  • Creative Workplace Accommodations
  • Community Champion for Inclusive Employment
  • Emergent Inclusive Employer
  • Inclusive Employer of the Year (To be selected by the IEEA Committee)

Past Recipients of Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards 

2023 Award Recipients

Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring

Creative Workplace Accommodations

Community Champion for Inclusive Employment

Emergent Inclusive Employer

Inclusive Employer of the Year Award

Group of people standing together and smiling at camera with a projected image on the background of the inclusive employer excellence awards logo

2022 Award Recipients

Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
Staples Abbotsford (large business)
VSSL (small business)

Creative Workplace Solutions
McDonald’s Restaurant (McCallum Junction)

Community Champion for Inclusive Employment
Fraser Valley Child Development Centre

Emergent Inclusive Employer
– Everclear Facilities Services (Sevenoaks Shopping Centre)

Inclusive Employer of the Year Award
Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Abbotsford Centre

2019 Award Recipients

Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
Northwest Rubber (large business)
Monague Native Crafts (small business)

Creative Workplace Solutions
Dynamic Architectural Windows and Doors Inc.

Community Champion for Inclusive Employment
– Leslie Lessing of Liberty Tax Service

Emergent Inclusive Employer
Kal Tire 077
– Apex Food Source

Inclusive Employer of the Year Award
Klassen Wood Company

2018 Award Recipients

Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
The Grounds Guys

Innovation in Inclusive Hiring
Vancity

Creative Workplace Solutions
Value Village

Corporate Leadership in Inclusive Hiring
Starbucks (2 local locations)

Individual Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
Old Spaghetti Factory

Inclusive Employer of the Year Award
Cineplex

2017 Award Recipients

Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
Tradex

Innovation in Inclusive Hiring
Vancity

Creative Workplace Solutions
VSSL

Corporate Leadership in Inclusive Hiring
A&W
Home Depot
Abbotsford News

Individual Commitment to Inclusive Hiring
– Joelle Rowat of Carillion Canada

Inclusive Employer of the Year Award
Abbotsford Centre