Employer Council of Champions

The Employer Council of Champions (ECC) is a cross-sector council featuring senior executives from top Ottawa public and private sector employers, influential business associations, and labour groups. The ECC gives employers a collective voice, enabling them to champion successful integration of skilled immigrants into the workforce. The ECC is co-chaired by two distinguished local business leaders: Frank Bilodeau, Vice President, Scotiabank, Ottawa and West Quebec and Gaye Moffett, Founder, GEM Healthcare Services.

Role of the ECC

• Promote and champion the issue and lead by example
• Develop employer-oriented solutions
• Prepare organizations to compete for the best new talent
• Learn from and network with like-minded organizations

ECC Objectives

• Collaborate: create an environment of cross-sector collaboration for the delivery of effective and innovative programs.
• Build capacity: stimulate strategic investments and partnerships that encourage and enable more of Ottawa’s employers to hire immigrants.
• Initiate action: act as a catalyst for new ideas, innovation, excellence and improvement.

The ECC achieves its objectives primarily through its operational arm – the HIO Working Groups. ECC members provide guidance and support to their representatives participating in the Working Groups. The ECC periodically hosts a Summit which provides an opportunity to publicly celebrate successes, highlight promising practices, share information, and recognize employer achievements through the Hire Immigrants Ottawa Employer Excellence Awards. The ECC membership list shows leading Ottawa employers who have committed to championing the issue of skilled immigrant employment.