FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toronto Community Benefits Network Celebrates Canada’s Construction Leaders at the 2026 Building Diversity Awards
Toronto, ON — The Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) brought together leaders from across Canada’s construction, labour, development, and community sectors for the 6th Annual Building Diversity Awards (BDA) at the Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto, celebrating the individuals and organizations driving meaningful change across the industry.
Held under this year’s theme, “Rise. Build. Belong.”, the evening recognized outstanding contributions to inclusive leadership, mentorship, community impact, and workforce transformation, while reinforcing a collective commitment to building a construction industry where opportunity is accessible to all.
The evening featured inspiring remarks from keynote speaker Perdita Felicien, former world champion hurdler and one of Canada’s most celebrated athletes, who challenged attendees to think beyond the structures they build.
“In this industry, you do more than build skyscrapers. You build access. You build futures. My challenge to all of you is to build in a way that makes room for people — creating opportunities for talent to grow, flourish, and belong.”
Drawing from her own experiences overcoming barriers as an elite athlete, Felicien encouraged attendees to confront challenges head-on and to actively lower barriers for others.
“Talent is universal. Access and opportunity are not. The question is: whose hurdle can you help make lower?”
Hosted by television personality and former Grey Cup champion Sebastian Clovis, the gala welcomed sponsors, contractors, union leaders, employers, community advocates, developers, and grassroots changemakers for an evening of celebration, reflection, and inspiration. The program also featured entertainment from acclaimed comedian Jay Martin, adding energy and levity to the night.
2026 Building Diversity Award Recipients
Selected from a competitive field of 25 finalists, this year’s award recipients represent the very best in innovation, mentorship, leadership, and community-driven impact across Canada’s construction sector.
Community Benefits Awards
- Champion: Senator Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard
- Coalition: TCHC Regent Park Revitalization Project
- Project: Ambleside Integrated Site IPD
Contractor to Watch Award
- Span and Spaces
Leading on Diversity Awards
- Contractor: Houle Electric
- Organization: Infrastructure Ontario
NexGen Builders Awards
- Employer: Wiltshire Homes
- Mentee: Michael Oriere
- Mentor: Luv Sehgal
2026 Distinguished Honours
- Community Impact Award: Dwayne De Rosario
- Leading on Diversity Champion: Marilyn Horrick
- Building Diversity Legacy Award: Steve Shallhorn
Accepting the Building Diversity Legacy Award, Shallhorn reflected on TCBN’s growth and impact over the years.
“To see what TCBN has become — bigger, stronger, and more impactful — is truly remarkable. It has been an honour to be part of its journey.”
TCBN Executive Director Rosemarie Powell expressed gratitude to the many partners, sponsors, volunteers, nominees, and attendees whose support made the event possible.
“This year’s theme, Rise. Build. Belong., reflects a powerful truth: when communities are meaningfully included in growth, everyone benefits. Together, we are proving that diversity builds stronger projects, stronger communities, and a stronger Canada.”
The awards gala followed TCBN’s Youth-Led Community Benefits Summit, held on May 20, which convened emerging leaders, industry professionals, and policymakers to explore strategies for advancing equitable access and opportunity across construction and infrastructure development.
Throughout the evening, speakers reinforced a shared call to action: to continue building pathways for underrepresented communities and to ensure the next generation of construction professionals can thrive.
Closing the evening, former TCBN President Chris Campbell left attendees with a powerful reminder:
“Tonight reminds us of what is possible when industry, community, and government work together. We must continue creating opportunities and mentoring the next generation.”
As the 2026 Building Diversity Awards concluded, the message was clear: Canada’s construction industry is strongest when it rises together, builds with intention, and creates spaces where everyone belongs.
The Toronto Community Benefits Network (TCBN) is a coalition of more than 120 community-based and labour organizations committed to advancing economic inclusion across Toronto through collaborative partnerships that promote equitable access to opportunities and support the development of healthy, inclusive, and prosperous communities for all residents.
TCBN co-chairs the Community Benefits and Social Procurement Program Advisory Body. This body is convened by the FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) Toronto Secretariat to ensure tournament preparations yield inclusive economic opportunities, local hiring, and supplier diversity.
Media Contact:
Walid Soufian,
Email: [email protected]
Tel.: (647) 370-1767
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