Electricity Human Resources Canada Launches Online Portal to Support the Recruitment and Retention of People with Disabilities in the Canadian Electricity Industry

OTTAWA, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC), in partnership with the
Government of Ontario’s EnAbling Change Program, has developed an online
portal of valuable and practical information and resources to help
employers improve or enhance equity of access and supports for people
with disabilities – both visible and invisible – who work or wish to
work in the Canadian electricity industry, while also addressing key
priority areas of the EnAbling Change Program for the 2016-2017 year.

In addition to information on the legislative and reporting requirements
employers in Ontario must comply with under the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act, EHRC’s dedicated
web portal includes: information on the Employment Standard, the
business case for recruiting people with disabilities, leading and
promising practices to support employer initiatives, and links to
specialized service providers and disability organizations that can
connect employers to those with disabilities. Each topic covers an
important aspect of achieving an accessible work environment that
includes people with disabilities. While directed towards Ontario-based
employers, given EHRC’s national mandate employers from all provinces
across Canada will derive value from the resources included within the
portal.

“The Electricity and Renewable energy workforce is changing” says
Michelle Branigan, CEO of Electricity Human Resources Canada. “In the
midst of these changes, we know that there is an invaluable pool of
talent to be found amongst people with disabilities. Not only do they
bring expertise and experience to the job, they help organizations
create a more inclusive workplace culture.”

Throughout this project EHRC has worked to create awareness that hiring
people with disabilities is not only socially responsible, but good
for business – increasing employee morale, productivity, innovation,
profitability, organizational excellence, and the ability to retain
talent.

Industry partners on this initiative have included: Alectra Utilities
(Horizon Utilities, Powerstream), Ontario Power Generation, New
Brunswick Community College, Burlington Hydro; Newfoundland Power; the
Society of Energy Professionals, LiveWorkPlay, and the Mental Health
Commission of Canada

To learn more please visit the EHRC website at: http://electricityhr.ca/workplace-support/diversity-inclusion/from-disability-to-inclusion/resource-kit/

Contacts

Electricity Human Resources Canada
Michelle Branigan, 613-235-5540;
ext. 235
[email protected]
or
Media
Relations:
The DFI Group
David Finkelstein, 416-300-4150
[email protected]