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.

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsor

Supporter Sponsors

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 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 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.

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)

Outstanding Commitment to Inclusive Hiring

• Abbotsford School District

Creative Workplace Accommodations

• Minuteman Press

Community Champion for Inclusive Employment

• Chalo Freshco

Emergent Inclusive Employer

• Tracycakes Bakery Cafe

Inclusive Employer of the Year Award

• Kal Tire on Coutts Way

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

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

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

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