Citizenship and Immigration Canada Honours Dexter Construction for Leadership Role in Hiring Refugees

HALIFAX, June 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Dexter Construction will receive Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Refugee Employment Award. The largest civil contractor in Atlantic Canada, Dexter Construction is being recognized for its leadership role in improving the employment outcomes of refugees in Halifax Regional Municipality.

Through its collaboration with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia's (ISANS) Bridge to Construction Program, Dexter Construction has successfully recruited and trained refugees and worked with ISANS on projects like engineering competency assessment and heavy equipment operation.

Recipients are nominated for this national award by service provider organizations who have witnessed the success of these employers who bring refugees into the labour market helping them integrate into society and contribute to the Canadian economy.

Dexter Construction was nominated by ISANS. Other winners in Canada include the Safeway Operations, Sobeys Inc., nominated by Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, and the Gala Bakery, in Hamilton ON, nominated by Wesley Urban Ministries.

Quick facts

• Canada's refugee programs help save lives. In 2014, Canada resettled more than 12,300 refugees.
• Canada is committed to helping refugees and immigrants integrate and succeed. In recent years, settlement funding has tripled to almost $600 million.

Quotes

"Our Government has taken significant steps to improve the employment and social outcomes of refugees through its programs and services. Employers have an important role to play in this regard and I am delighted to congratulate Dexter Construction for taking a leading role among the employer community to help resettled refugees in the Halifax Regional Municipality."

Chris Alexander, Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister

"Our collaboration with ISANS Bridge to Construction Program has allowed us to build a dedicated and qualified workforce. Dexter is proud of the work that we do in diversifying our workforce and we are looking forward to continuing to work with ISANS  to support the labour market integration of refugees in Nova Scotia."

Ryan Kidney, Human Resources Director, Dexter Construction

"Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) is a multi-service immigrant settlement organization that works in partnership with employers in Nova Scotia to help refugees attach to the labor market. ISANS offers targeted bridging programs to assist refugees to prepare for successful integration into the workforce, using the many skills that they bring with them.  ISANS and Dexter Construction have collaborated successfully on a number of refugee employment bridging initiatives and ISANS is delighted that Dexter has been acknowledged for their leadership in this area."

Gerry Mills, Director of Operations ISANS.

Building a stronger Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) strengthens Canada's economic, social and cultural prosperity, helping ensure Canadian safety and security while managing one of the largest and most generous immigration programs in the world.

SOURCE Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Kevin Menard, Minister's Office, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 613-954-1064; Media Relations, Communications Branch, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]