MONTREAL — Air Canada has been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the sixth straight year by Mediacorp Canada Inc.

The annual competition recognizes the nation’s leaders in creating inclusive workplaces for employees from five diverse groups: women, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal Peoples, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) peoples. Employers are selected by the editors at Mediacorp based on submissions to the annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.

Air Canada was included on the list this year for its various initiatives and programs that promote equal opportunities and a work environment where all employees feel respected and recognized.

“Despite the significant challenges due to COVID-19, diversity and inclusion remain top priorities at Air Canada,” said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs. “Workplace diversity is  one of the most important keys to an organizations success. Diversity brings different talents together and using different sets of skills when working towards a common goal leads to more creative, innovative and productive teams.”

Meloul-Wechsler added: “We help employees achieve their full potential and highlight all employees’ unique contributions within a diversified and inclusive work environment.”

Some of the successful diversity and inclusion initiatives Mediacorp Canada citied in its selection process include:

• Support for 315 registered charities in 2020 through the Air Canada Foundation with more than $2 million net fundraised for Canadian communities and where Air Canada employees live.
• In 2020, Air Canada signed the BlackNorth Initiative CEO Pledge focused on promoting the elimination of anti-Black systemic racism and on creating opportunities for black people within the company.
• Investment in a variety of training initiatives that reflect inclusive operations, from French- and English-language training for airport employees, to sophisticated flight training and simulators for airplane personnel, the airline also offered a number of paid internships and co-op placements to attract the next generation of talent.

In addition, Air Canada has exceeded both its previously established targets to have women represent at least 30% of senior management by 2020, as well as its objective to have at least 30% of its board of directors be women.

Other recent recognitions that Air Canada has been awarded include Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2020, Montreal Top Employers 2020 (Mediacorp), and the Employment Equity Achievement Award for Diversity & Inclusion from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).