Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business Awards Sodexo a 4th gold PAR
certification

MONTREAL, Sept. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - Sodexo Canada is proud to announce their 4th gold Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. The awards ceremony was held in Vancouver on September 16th, in recognition of Sodexo's successful efforts to create opportunities for Aboriginal citizens, businesses, and communities. Sodexo Canada is the only organisation to receive this honour four times.

"In the spirit of our sustainable development policy, this level of achievement represents the efforts made by Sodexo with aboriginal communities across Canada. This achievement validates our dedication and tangible contributions to the development of local communities in making every day a better day," declared Peter J. Young, Senior Vice President, Remote Sites at Sodexo Canada.

Sodexo Canada has been working with the aboriginal community for more than 20 years. The company currently maintains 30 active partnerships with investments in training and development programs for Aboriginal Canadians. In its various projects, Sodexo's workforce is comprised of, on average, 63% Aboriginal community members with some sites employing as many as 95% of Aboriginal workers.

To be certified PAR, companies must adhere to a set of criteria that evaluate theirengagement with the Aboriginal community: the use of systematic communication processes; the existence of robust consultation mechanisms; a willingness to observe cultural differences, and a demonstration of understanding the importance of mutual benefit.

"The key to our success with the aboriginal community revolves around four main pillars: business development, community relations, individual capacity development and employment. We are proud of our unique and long-term relationship with the community. We hope this successful partnership will inspire other businesses to do the same," concluded Mr. Young.

About PAR certification:
PAR companies establish effective strategies to maximize involvement in the Aboriginal market and through the PAR comprehensive self-assessment exercise, assess their performance. The results and findings are externally verified and submitted to an independent PAR jury for designation of PAR certification at the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Level. Gold certified companies exhibit long-standing leadership and sustainability in Aboriginal relations.

About Sodexo Canada :
Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions.Quality of Life plays an important role in the progress of individuals and the performance of organizations. Based on this conviction, Sodexo acts as the strategic partner for companies and institutions that place a premium on performance and employee well-being. Sharing the same passion for service, Sodexo's 380,000 employees in 80 countries design, manage and deliver an unrivaled array of On-site Service Solutions and Motivation Solutions. Sodexo has created a new form of service business that contributes to the fulfillment of its employees and the economic, social and environmental development of the communities, regions and countries in which it operates. In Canada Sodexo launched the STOP Hunger Association in 2000 and formed the charitable organization, the Sodexo Foundation in 2001 to help fight hunger as it affects over 5 million Canadians.

For further information:

Olivier Fillion Boutin
514 985-8309
514 942-0029
[email protected]