The uniform and civilian employees of the Ontario Provincial Police Uniform Recruitment Section have been awarded the Ontario Public Service HR Award of Excellence for “Fostering Diversity.” As a result of its multi-faceted approach to hiring, the OPP has seen a marked increase in women, aboriginal and minority candidates.

Stefanie Reid was named Paralympics Ontario top female athlete of the year at the Ontario Para Sports Awards presentation in Toronto. Reid who has a single below the knee amputation not only set a Canadian record of 4.78 metres in the long jump during the 2007 season but also won two bronze and two silver medals at various international events throughout the year.

The 10 Most Influential Hispanic Canadians were selected at a ceremony in Toronto last month. This year’s winners were Dr. Alex Jadad, Elvira Sanchez de Malicki, Esteban Lasso, Dr. Federico Allodi, Dr. Juan Carlos Zuniga, Juan Carranza, Lita Gonzalez Dickey, Luz Bazcunan, Dr. Mary Carmen Romero, and Dr. Marco A. Guzman. The Hispanic population is now the third largest minority in Canada.

The Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC) recognized the accomplishments of young people, many of whom are new immigrants to the Chinese community, at its annual gala in Markham, Ontario. The association presented 22 secondary and post-secondary students with a total of $22,000 in scholarships, bursaries and awards. CPAC President Howard Shen called the event, “a true testament of how we can work together.