Diversity and Inclusion

Building a workforce that reflects the diverse population of the communities where we live and work is key to our success.

Resource Groups
Our Partnerships
One Awards Scholarships

Diversity Matters and Inclusion Connects

Our values guide us to view diversity and inclusion as a source of our strength. We stand behind the fact that diversity and inclusion positively impact innovation, engagement and trust, and also improve safety, customer experience and business performance. We strive for a corporate culture where all employees are valued, respected, feel a sense of belonging, and have equal access to opportunities. We foster an open, collaborative work environment and believe in equity for all people.

We believe that the background, experience, perspective and talent of each individual enriches our company in unimaginable ways. We learn from each other. We embrace our differences. We respect diverse opinions. We respect the things that help grow our company, increase our abilities and help us see new possibilities. Our employees bring the broadest possible perspectives, generate new ideas and deliver the best possible customer service. Building a workforce that reflects the diverse populations of the communities where we live and work is important for us, so we can see the many ways that we can understand and serve the needs of our customers.

We regularly work with high schools, colleges and universities to encourage and support young people considering careers in, engineering, skilled trades and other professions in our industry. From sponsorships to scholarships, in-house programs to mentorship programs, we are committed to developing our pool of talent, increasing employee engagement and providing a highly enjoyable and rewarding career.

Hydro One’s Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are groups of employees in an organization formed to act as a resource for both group members and the organization. ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that can have a few members or a few thousand. They are typically based upon a demographic (e.g. women), life stage (e.g. Generation Y), or function (e.g. sales), but they may also be based on other identities. They are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment within the context of the organization’s mission, values, goals, business practices, and objectives.

Accessibility and Inclusion Network: The purpose of the A&I Network is to provide a forum for employees with disabilities and their supporters to share information, raise awareness pertaining to their working experience while garnering support, and provide advice on solutions for ensuring the inclusion of people with disabilities within Hydro One.

Indigenous Network Circle (INC): The Indigenous Network Circle is a gathering of members that create awareness, give support, educate and advocate for change through a learning environment. Our objective is to develop and foster leaders through knowledge, understanding and respect. By working together we will reach a more inclusive workplace for all employees at Hydro One. All employees at Hydro One who self-identify as an Indigenous person (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) are welcome to join INC. Allies also welcome.

Lean In Circle: Lean In is an international organization that empowers and supports female identifying people in their professional development. Their partnership program with companies enables organizations to address their gender leadership gaps. The Lean in Circles are small groups of employees who meet regularly to learn and grow.

Men Advocating Real Change (MARC): MARC is a network of male identifying employees advocating for change to achieve gender equality in the workplace. Female identifying allies are also welcome.

Mosaic: Mosaic is a multicultural network that aims to foster awareness, appreciation and collaboration within Hydro One through a richer understanding of our employees’ cultural heritage and identity differences. Their mission is to be an action-oriented, global and diverse force that eliminates barriers, adventurously collaborates and unites differences by building a strong foundation that generates forward-thinking leaders. Their vision is to drive innovation through differences.

People in Energy (PiE): PiE is a member-driven community that strives to provide its members with personal and professional development. Living the Core Values of Win As One and Stand For People, our mission is to support the passionate and diligent employees of our company in order to build future leaders of our industry. We seek to accomplish our vision through knowledge sharing and networking opportunities within Hydro One’s various lines of businesses, and raise awareness about the broader energy sector. PiE will facilitate the platform for employees to be heard and and share their success stories.

Pride One Network: PrideOne’s purpose is to support a diverse and inclusive corporate culture for Hydro One’s LGBTQ2S+ employees, including allies, so that all employees can be their authentic selves at work.

Women in Trades, Technology and Engineering (WTTE): WTTE is an employee resource group with a purpose of promoting and advocating for female identifying employees in trades, technology and engineering at Hydro One. WTTE works towards a vision of creating a workplace culture that includes, empowers and inspires more female identifying employees to participate at all levels of the organization with a special focus on the areas of trades, technology and engineering.

To learn more about the Employee Resource Groups that Hydro One has to offer, email DiversityandInclusion@HydroOne.com.

Hydro One’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Hydro One’s Women In Engineering University Partnership

The Women in Engineering Consortium is a partnership with Ryerson University, Ontario Tech University (formally known as UOIT), University of Waterloo, and Western University to increase enrolment, support and career opportunities for female students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) specifically in the Electrical and Mechanical engineering programs. Investing $3 million over eight years, the partnership developed the WEMADEIT brand that includes a website, www.WeMadeIt.ca, for students, parents and teachers, and features videos, social media strategy, workshops and curriculum developed for high school teachers and students.

Programming strategy includes:

Inspiring young female students to pursue university studies in electrical and mechanical engineering
Developing university communities that both help female students feel engage and foster professional growth
Supporting female engineering graduates as they transition in to careers in electrical and mechanical engineering
Recognizing engineering students, graduates, mentors and community members who contribute to our mission

Catalyst Accord 2022: Accelerating the Advancement of Women

Hydro One has been a member of the Catalyst Accord since 2017 and this demonstrates Hydro One’s public commitment to gender parity. Catalyst is a global non-profit organization focused on accelerating progress for women through workplace inclusion. Through the Accord, Catalyst issued a call to action from Canadian corporations to increase the overall proportion of board seats and executive officer roles for women to 30% by the end of 2022. By signing the Accord, Hydro One committed to maintaining at least 30% female board members and 30% female executives.

Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity

Hydro One was also one of the first signatories of the Leadership Accord on Gender Diversity in the Electricity Industry developed by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC). The signatories to this accord recognize and confirm united action to expand the breadth and depth of the skilled workforce; ensure that women are informed of the opportunities available in the sector; and, once in the sector, are fully supported and provided with equal opportunities to grow and develop to their full potential.

BlackNorth Initiative

Hydro One’s CEO Mark Poweska is among 200 Canadian Presidents and CEOs to sign the BlackNorth Initiative’s pledge committing their organizations to specific actions and targets designed to end anti-Black systemic racism. The BlackNorth Initiative was created to remove anti-Black systemic barriers negatively affecting the lives of Black Canadians. This is just one of the ways that Hydro One is beginning to deliver on our commitment to combat systemic racism faced by employees who are Black, Indigenous or People of Colour.

The William Peyton Hubbard Memorial Award

William Peyton Hubbard was instrumental in the development and public control of hydroelectric power in Ontario. The son of a freed slave from Virginia, he was Toronto’s first black Alderman, Controller and Acting Mayor in the early part of the 20th century. If it were not for his unwavering commitment, Hydro One might not exist today. In his honour, Hydro One sponsors annual awards for outstanding black undergraduate students attending an Ontario college or university. Students who have completed at least one year in one of the following areas are invited to apply: Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or Environmental Engineering/Technology, Computer Science, Forestry, Business or Information Technology. In addition to a cash award, recipients will be offered a paid work term/summer position with Hydro One. Applications deadline has been extended to November 1, 2021.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

Ayman Abdulkadir, Ontario Tech University, Mechatronics Engineering
Jessica Bertley, University of Waterloo, Electrical Engineering
Kwaze Gayle, University of Toronto, Commerce Finance and Economics
Yonael Debebe, University of Waterloo, System Design Engineering.

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Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin Award

Hydro One is committed to supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit students who are interested in pursuing careers within the electricity sector. In 2011, Hydro One established the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Scholarship which was renamed the Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin Award in 2014. The award is granted annually to students studying in the energy industry related disciplines at a recognized university or community college. In addition to a cash award, recipients will be offered a paid work term/summer position with Hydro One. To leverage additional support, Hydro One has partnered with Indspire who are now responsible for the distribution of the Hydro One Leonard S. (Tony) Mandamin Indigenous Awards. For the application, please visit: https://indspirefunding.ca/hydro-one/

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Women In Engineering Award

Hydro One has a history of supporting women in developing satisfying professional careers for mutual benefit. Part of this support has been community engagement through avenues such as the College Consortium and the Women in Engineering, University Partnership. 2014 marked ten years of Hydro One’s involvement in Go Eng Girl, a program aimed at increasing the level of interest of girls in STEM subjects. This ten year anniversary also marked the establishment of the Hydro One Women in Engineering Award, an extension of Hydro One’s tangible support for young women wishing to embark on a career in Engineering. The Go Eng Girl program is also evidence of Hydro One’s visible support for women in general, as part of Hydro One’s overall Diversity & Inclusion Program. In addition to a cash award, recipients will be offered a paid work term/summer position with Hydro One.

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Recognizing champions of diversity and inclusion

The Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes and celebrates professionals who champion diversity and inclusion, are role models for developing and cultivating diversity strategies in their organization, as well as communicating the rationale for these strategies to employees.

Congratulations to Hydro One Employee Resource Groups 2019 Awards of Excellence Winners for the Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Award.