Peter’s Your Independent Grocer recognized for its work with newcomers to Canada

News Release

March 8, 2017—Ottawa, ON

Peter’s Your Independent Grocer (YIG) is being recognized by the Government of Canada for tackling the challenges and obstacles faced by newcomers and striving to make them feel at home in Canada through its people-focused hiring practices. 

Kelowna, British Columbia business Peter’s Your Independent Grocer (YIG) was congratulated today by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Ahmed Hussen as one of the winners of the 2017 Employer Awards for Newcomer Employment for its exemplary work to help newcomers to Canada find and retain jobs and enhance their employment skills.

Every year through these awards, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes local businesses’ innovative efforts to improve the labour market attachment and integration of newcomers across Canada. The winning organizations help reduce the barriers faced by newcomers in entering the labour market and improve their overall settlement in Canada. 

Winners were announced at the 2017 Employer Council of Champions Summit, organized by Hire Immigrants Ottawa, which brought together business, government and civic leaders to engage in a dialogue about the effective integration of refugees and immigrants into the labour force, and to celebrate employer excellence.

Quotes

“I am both grateful for and impressed by the leadership role that Peter’s YIG has played to support the successful settlement and integration of newcomers to Canada. Through its unique hiring and training practices, Peter’s YIG truly recognizes and breaks down the barriers that many newcomers experience when trying to find jobs, which makes a significant difference in the lives of newcomers to Canada.”

 – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“Every day I feel happy to go to work. Opening my mind and doors to people of all backgrounds has allowed me to grow, my team to grow and our store to be known as a place of welcoming neighbours.”

– Peter Boyd, Store Owner, Peter’s Your Independent Grocer

Quick Facts

  • IRCC partners with Hire Immigrants Ottawa to recognize private businesses that support the successful labour market integration of newcomers in Canada.

  • Winning employers are chosen based on nominations from service provider organizations.

  • Employing about 200 staff members, of which more than 22 percent have immigrated to Canada, Peter’s YIG strives to reflect the diversity of its neighbourhood while meeting the needs of its community members.

Associated Links

Contacts

For media only

Camielle Edwards
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca

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