Friday, February 21st, marked the Newcomer Employment Champions Breakfast Awards of 2025. The event took place at Crowne Plaza’s Top of the Town restaurant with approximately 120 guests in attendance.

Needless to say, said event was quite crowded, and that is not an understatement. It is also a testament to the increase in Saint John’s population, considering the significant influx of newcomer immigrants to New Brunswick in recent years. Several immigrants from Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan, Lebanon, China, Vietnam, the Congo, and even Somalia have settled in the province, especially in the Port City.

Jonathan Bruce/Submitted

The event started at 8:30 am on Friday to commemorate the work done by companies and businesses in promoting newcomer individuals in the community. Members of the Saint John String Quartet and Orchestra New Brunswick provided accompanying music for the awards show. They performed instrumental renditions of pop star Taylor Swift’s songs, which made for an interesting atmosphere.

Mayor Donna Reardon and Minister John Dornan were in attendance at the event. Another attendee was Jean-Claude D’Armours, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Immigration, and Military Affairs. At the present, he is also serving as the acting minister of post-secondary education.

“Two things are important for the immigrant population: gaining meaningful employment and a welcoming community,” said D’Amours. “The newcomers here help create a sense of belonging.”

D’Amours also took time to praise the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick organization for its efforts in the inclusion and development of newcomers within the province. “We now know what is needed to strengthen New Brunswick and shape it into a great province,” he stated.

Not only do these efforts serve the larger community, they also help to ensure newcomers are on their way to securing permanent residency in Canada. The government has a mandate to focus on these sectors. Currently, there are 19 Working NB offices located across the province. Working NB supports employers, workers, and job seekers in their employment needs.

Mayor Reardon also spoke at the NEC Awards event. The focus of her speech was on further investing in immigrant newcomers’ potential and creating a strong sense of resilience in them. “This can strengthen the economy, boost our community, and ensure that Saint John is a safe place for all,” she said. “As we grow, we need to create support for them in the community.”

Jonathan Bruce/Submitted

There are more than an estimated 650 newcomer employees working here in Saint John now. At the Horizon Health Network, for example, there are a total of fourteen thousand employees in the organization and six thousand student placements. Four hundred seventy-five international employees have been brought in from various countries such as Dubai, Ireland, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Quite an impressive feat.

Another speaker at the NEC Awards ceremony was Christie Ruff. She serves as the Executive Director of Culture and Wellbeing at the Horizon Health Network. “It’s a privilege to be in room with so many people who care about human beings,” she said.

Ruff herself is an immigrant, having come to Canada thirty-six years ago during the 1980s. In 2017, she became a Canadian citizen while retaining her other citizenship. Of Horizon Health, Run noted, “Everything we do has a purpose. We want people to be healthy and provide exceptional care for every person every day.”

Canada’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program is aimed at creating a workplace where every voice matters and every individual can thrive. The DEI Maturity model is scored based on the Global Equity Standard, leader interviews, etc. While the numbers initially started off conservatively, the score has risen considerably in subsequent years.

“Horizon Health also has partnerships with UNB and NBCC, and eight MBA students are currently working with the organization,” Ruff explained. “Our executive level support is dedicated to resources, strategic partnerships, and marketing communications.”

Among the awards given out include the NEC Advocacy Award. It went to Horizon Health Network for recognizing valued newcomer employees, promoting integration in the workplace, and fostering relationships within the community.

The NEC Engagement Award went to Kindred Home Care for recognizing the impact of immigrants in the Greater Saint John area and leveraging newcomer skills. In addition, Kindred Home Care encourages diversity and development opportunities for both staff and community engagement. The organization also provides robust support for settlement services and professional development programs, as well as helping provide lessons in language instruction.

Next, the NEC Employer of Choice Award went to Crosby Foods LTD for equity, diversity, and cultural competency training. Crosby Foods has participated in collaboration with the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick in creating an inclusive community. One such collaborative effort is the Bridging the Gap program.

Jonathan Bruce/Submitted

Finally, a special recognition Hall of Fame Award went to Osco Construction Group for its role in supporting newcomer employment in New Brunswick. Indeed, a number of immigrant newcomers and YMCA clients are working within the ranks of Osco.

Perhaps the most poignant words spoken at the NEC Awards event came towards the end of Ruff’s address. As Ruff noted:

“Meaningful change happens with measured change."