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This has been a special year for diversity and inclusion at ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ in the Edmonton Capital Region. ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ employees from across the board spent time in June constructing, painting, and decorating a float to mark ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¡¯s inaugural participation in the Edmonton Pride Parade. Over two dozen ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ employees marched down Whyte Avenue on top of, or alongside, our multicoloured float, flanked on either side by cheering crowds.?

Stantec¡¯s participation in the 2017 Edmonton Pride Parade was spearheaded by the ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ Edmonton Diversity & Inclusion (SEDI) group. Started in 2014, the group aims to create awareness about diversity and inclusion across ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¡¯s Edmonton offices. Keith Shillington, Regional Leader for ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ in the Edmonton Capital Region, signed on as executive sponsor of SEDI, lending leadership support to the group¡¯s initiatives to make ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ a truly equitable employer.

The Edmonton Pride Festival Society (EPFS), a local nonprofit, has organized the festival since 1999. The first-ever Pride celebration in Edmonton took place in 1980 and has since grown into a series of annual events and celebrations in June.

The SEDI subcommittee organizing the Pride celebration, led by Bridge Engineer Hillary Flesher, helped create an artistic rendition of the ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ float. Several employees volunteered to help build the float, which was pulled by a truck adorned with a giant rainbow unicorn horn¡ªit was truly a collaborative effort underpinned by our core value of ¡°we are better together.¡±

Prior to the participating in the Parade, ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ hosted a lunch and learn to discuss the history of Pride celebrations in Edmonton. Following Pride, there was an overwhelmingly positive response from staff.

Many people have said that ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½¡¯s part in the Parade has made them proud to work here. Whether they are part of the LGBTQ community or not, hearing certain stories is encouraging staff to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone¡ªregardless of their sexual orientation.

At ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½, we are leaders in celebrating and finding strength in our diversity. Participating in the Parade in the very city that ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ was founded in over six decades ago, was a point of Pride for staff, SEDI, and senior leadership. Building on the success of Edmonton Capital, ²ÝÝ®´«Ã½ in Calgary will participate in that city¡¯s Pride Parade, taking place on September 4, 2017.