2025 Impact Award winners: Diversity, equity & inclusion
Now in its fifth year, the Canadian Grocer Impact Awards celebrates Canadian grocery retail and CPG businesses that are going above and beyond to make the world a better place
We recognized 40 winners in 2025 for making a positive impact in the areas of sustainability, supporting employees, diversity, equity & inclusion and community. In addition, several recipients were honoured with the inaugural Impact Champion award for their exceptional impact across multiple areas.
See the full list of winners here.
One company won in the category of diversity, equity & inclusion. Here’s why:
Bimbo Canada
As part of its ongoing Diversity, Equity, and Belonging program, Bimbo Canada recently partnered with Level Playing Field, an accessibility consulting agency. The agency conducted on-site assessments to establish action plans for each Bimbo Canada site to create a fully inclusive, safe and accessible working environment for people of all abilities.
In tandem, the company introduced inclusive language standards in signage and communications to better reflect the diversity of its people. It also launched two pilot programs in partnership with Ready, Willing and Able (an organization that helps companies with inclusive hiring) to support employment for those with intellectual disabilities or on the autism spectrum.
“This wasn’t treated as a one-time campaign or stand-alone program, but rather as a cultural shift embedded into every part of how we work, lead and support one another,” says Leslee Wills, the company’s vice-president people and corporate affairs.
Company associates were also invited to celebrate their cultural identity by sharing their countries of origin, cultural traditions, stories, photos and fun facts—transforming the workplace walls into vibrant symbols of inclusion.
“Seeing individuals share their lived experiences and cultural perspectives in such a vulnerable and educational way tells us that we are genuinely creating spaces where people feel safe and valued,” says Wills.
Winners of the 2025 Impact Awards are featured in Canadian Grocer’s August issue.
