Behind the Scenes: In the Community

Air Canada Supports Conference Exploring Citizenship

Inclusion and citizenship were hot topics this September, when the inaugural 6 Degrees Citizen Space was held in Toronto by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC). The event which marked the ICC’s 10th anniversary, brought together global leaders, thinkers and change makers, 75 of whom were flown in for the three-day forum by presenting partner Air Canada. (Among the participants were Joseph Boyden, The Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning novelist, and award-winning author, journalist and activist Naomi Klein.)

“We’re proud to support the ongoing story of Canadian citizenship,” says Benjamin Smith President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. In a discussion of the economics of inclusion, Smith, who immigrated to Canada with his parents, pointed out the economic contributions of new citizens to society: “Immigrants contribute tremendous innovation and entrepreneurship, which helps grow our country.”

Air Canada plays an important role in fuelling innovation through diversity by flying business leaders, immigrants and, most recently, Syrian refugees around the world. The company also prides itself on its diverse workforce, which is representative of its customer base.

To read the original article in the November 2016 edition of Air Canada’s enRoute magazine click here: https://issuu.com/spafax/docs/air-canada-enroute-november-2016/225?e=2135800/40048246