Diversity : In The News

Toronto Star columnist David Olive looks at what make Toronto a world-class city worthy of international attention. Among other characteristics, Olive highlights the city's economic stability, booming medical-research industry, ethnic diversity and advances in urban planning.

"In many ways that people who live here don't fully realize, Toronto punches far above its weight.It ranks a mere 86th in population among world cities. Yet it is now included among the world's dozen most influential centres, outranking the likes of Washington, Paris and Frankfurt in the City of London's annual global financial centres index."

"As one of the smallest of alpha cities, Toronto's influence is far disproportionate to its size. A wide range of surveys puts it surprisingly high in world rankings. There's the City of London's annual global financial index, which rates Toronto among the dozen most influential centres. Toronto also places 10th in the latest Forbes ranking of economically powerful cities."

"Toronto is still the economic heart of one of the world's wealthiest countries, and it's projected to keep humming through 2020," says Forbes. "Along with London, Toronto is the fastest-growing G8 financial centre."

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original source Toronto Star

A recent feature in the Globe & Mail looked at the successful hiring practice of Toronto-based beer brewing company Steam Whistle. The company's adoption of inclusive hiring practices has resulted in a management team that is 50 percent foreign born.  According to the Steam Whistle co-founders, the willingness to take a chance on new Canadian has been integral to the company's success.

"[Immigrants] have risked everything to build a new life," Steam Whistle co-founder Greg Taylor says. "They take their jobs very seriously and are very passionate, and at the end of the day that helps your bottom line."

"Since its inception in 1998, Toronto-based has made inclusive hiring a priority, says Mr. Taylor. And while the practice is clearly good for the community, and adheres to the company's determination to be good corporate citizens, Mr. Taylor insists it has also aided the business. Today, 18 per cent of the company's 115 employees - and half of its management team  - hail from other countries, including Sri Lanka, the Czech Republic, Cuba, Portugal and Russia."

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original source Globe & Mail