University of TorontoTORONTO, ONTARIO (May 2, 2016) – The University of Toronto has been awarded the 2016 RBC Newcomer Advancement Project Partnership Best Project by this country’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud supporter RBC Foundation. The awards presentation took place today at the 2016 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto.

The Enactus team from the University of Toronto was awarded Best Project because they were able to impact the lives of 48 new Canadians through their project, Catapult. This project focused on equipping newcomers to Canada with the tools to kick start a business and become financially independent.

“Canada’s future prosperity will increasingly depend on our ability to remain a destination of choice for skilled immigrants,” said Valerie Chort, vice-president, Corporate Citizenship, RBC. “To help our communities prosper, we need to support newcomers, both in terms of finding employment and in fulfilling their entrepreneurial ambitions. On behalf of RBC I’d like to congratulate the Enactus team from the University of Toronto.”

The RBC Newcomer Advancement Project Partnership was designed to accelerate the advancement of newcomers to Canada, creating social and economic opportunities that will strengthen the well-being of communities.

“As a country, when we welcome newcomers to Canada, we carry a responsibility to support them through this transition,” said Nicole Almond, Enactus Canada president. “We are proud to recognize the Enactus team from the University of Toronto for using entrepreneurial action to address this challenge and, in partnership with RBC Foundation, recognizing the difference they have made in people’s lives.”

The RBC Newcomer Advancement Project Partnership Best Project was awarded at the 2016 Enactus Canada National Exposition, where more than 1,500 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs came together to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

For news throughout the year and competition results during the event, please visit @Enactus_Canada on Twitter.

-30-


ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, this country’s largest student leadership development organization, is shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,650 entrepreneurial post-secondary students led 288 community empowerment projects and business ventures this past year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.

Media inquiries:
Jody Lundrigan
Enactus Canada
jody@enactus.ca
(416) 346-0131

Meghan Edwards
North Strategic (for Enactus Canada)
Meghan.edwards@northstrategic.com
(416) 300-5720