EIGHT YEARS AGO A GROUP OF B.C. HYDRO EMPLOYEES JOINED TO TURN ON A DIFFERENT KIND OF LIGHT AT THE PROVINCIAL CROWN CORPORATION.
Judith Ali, the chair of the Hydro Employees' Multicultural Society, writes that the group's mission is "to promote an awareness of, a respect for, and an acceptance of the many cultures which make up our employee group, and to recognize the invaluable contributions they make to B.C. Hydro."
The society works towards that goal by fund-raising for multicultural organizations in the community, commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, distributing awareness articles about religious holidays and organizing multiculturalism week events like potluck lunches and food fairs.
In February 1998 the Provincial Advisory Council on Multiculturalism gave Ali and the society an award for "their exemplary contribution to Hydro and the community in their efforts to promote multicultural awareness."
Writes Ali, "It was exciting that HEMS - and the work that our volunteers have done, are doing and will be doing - was recognized."
The society is run by employee volunteers with sponsorship from the company. It exists and grows, says Ali, because of "a handful of B.C. Hydro employees" interested in diversity and equity in their work environment.