Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Canadian Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard and former Canadian soccer player Dwayne De Rosario are among 25 finalists selected for the Toronto Community Benefits Network’s Building Diversity Awards, which recognize leadership in inclusion, mentorship, innovation and community impact.
The awards will be presented May 21 at a gala at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto in Etobicoke, following a May 20 conference focused on community benefits agreements and workforce development.
From the group of 25 finalists, 10 award recipients and three distinguished honours will be announced live at the event, with finalists selected from more than 80 nominations reviewed by a judging panel of industry professionals, community leaders and diversity, equity and inclusion experts.
The Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) said submissions were evaluated using global diversity benchmarks and Canadian community benefits agreement standards aimed at promoting equitable access to jobs and training opportunities tied to major infrastructure projects.
“Thank you to the judges for their thoughtful and rigorous work in reviewing this year’s Building Diversity Awards nominations,” organizers said in a statement. “Each entry was evaluated for alignment with the GDEIB, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks, and the SMART CBAs – Canadian Community Benefits Agreement Standards and Best Practices.”
Bernard is being recognized as an “outstanding finalist” for her long-standing work in equity and workforce development.
“Senator Bernard’s visionary leadership continues to strengthen community benefits practices while advancing diversity, economic inclusion, and long-term prosperity for future generations,” the organization said.
Bernard, a longtime advocate for equity and inclusion, has served as a senator and social work educator and has been involved in initiatives aimed at expanding opportunity for underrepresented communities.
De Rosario, a four-time Major League Soccer Cup champion and 2011 MLS Most Valuable Player, is also a FIFA World Cup ambassador. TCBN highlighted his work off the field through youth development programs.
“Beyond the pitch, De Rosario has dedicated himself to empowering youth through the DeRo Foundation and DeRo United Futbol Academy, using soccer as a vehicle for mentorship, leadership development, education, and healthy lifestyles in underserved communities,” the organization said.
The Building Diversity Awards ceremony will be held alongside a full-day conference at Woodbine Banquet & Convention Hall in Toronto. The summit will bring together government officials, industry representatives, trades organizations and community groups focused on workforce access and equity in major construction projects.
“Construction is really a booming industry,” said TCBN Executive Director Rosemarie Powell. “What we want to see is that not only do we get to enjoy the project after it’s finished, but that people who live in those local neighbourhoods are able to get jobs from the projects.”
Organizers said this year’s conference will be youth-led and will include keynote speaker Irwin Bess, comedian Jay Martin and former Canadian track athlete Perdita Felicien. Grey Cup champion and television host Sebastian Clovis will serve as master of ceremonies.
Powell said the event is designed to connect apprentices, employers and policymakers, with an emphasis on expanding access to training and employment pathways tied to large-scale infrastructure development across the Toronto region.