St. Lawrence–Rideau Immigration Partnership and Community Partners Announce Opening of 12th Annual Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award and 3rd Annual Leeds and Grenville Inclusive Employer Award

Leeds & Grenville – The St. Lawrence – Rideau Immigration Partnership and their community partners are pleased to announce that nominations for the Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award and Inclusive Employer Award are now
open.

The Leeds and Grenville Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, now in its 12th year, is designed to highlight and recognize the hard work, dedication, and contributions local immigrant entrepreneurs make to our local communities.

Anyone can nominate, so everyone is encouraged to nominate their favourite immigrant-run business. Previous nominees throughout the years have come from across Leeds and Grenville and have included everyone from café owners, donkey farmers, and dentists, to IT technicians, accountants, and fitness professionals! Nominees must have been born outside of Canada, live in Leeds Grenville, and own/operate a business in Leeds Grenville to be eligible.

Back after two amazing first years, the Leeds and Grenville Inclusive Employer Award is also open for nominations. This award was created to recognize and celebrate the efforts and successes of the local employers who create welcoming and inclusive workplaces and communities for immigrant employees. Any workplace with immigrant employees that operates in Leeds and Grenville is eligible.

These two awards are amazing opportunities to showcase the wonderful contributions that immigrant entrepreneurs and welcoming employers are making to Leeds and Grenville.

Nominations for both awards are open to the public until September 11, 2026 for the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award, and September 18th, 2025 for the Inclusive Employer Award. To nominate, simply submit the name of the business or employer to the St. Lawrence – Rideau Immigration Partnership. This can be done via the Immigration Partnership’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LGimmigration ), online (forms.gle/LDY5QswLw9ywSKhw9), or via email/phone/text to the Immigration Partnership staff (lauren@eecentre.com /613-213-4455.

Self-nominations are allowed for both awards, and judging forms will be evaluated by the judging committee after nominations close to choose a winner.

The awards are a collaborative effort between members of the St. Lawrence – Rideau Immigration Partnership; the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, the Employment + Education Centre, CSE Consulting, and Upper Canada District School Board Settlement Services.