Aviva Canada supports efforts to promote food security and increase opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and diverse communities

November 28, 2023 (Toronto, ON) - As the holidays draw near, Aviva Canada is donating $450,000 to initiatives to support the vulnerable in our communities in reducing food insecurity and increasing economic mobility pathways for people of diverse backgrounds. Of the donation amount, $200,000 will go to Food Banks Canada, and $250,000 will go towards charitable partnerships that address and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across Canada.

This year’s HungerCount report published by Food Banks Canada found more people felt the squeeze on their budgets and resources. Visits made to local food banks surpassed 1.9 million in March breaking last year’s record of 1.5 million visits during the same period last year. 

Aviva’s donation will go towards the North Program to support Indigenous communities in Northern Canada who must contend with limited employment possibilities and higher grocery costs than the rest of the country, which has led to disproportionate volatility and access to necessities. The funds will also be used to support food banks in provinces impacted by wildfires including the local Edmonton Food Bank, Moisson Montreal, Feed Nova Scotia, and Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

The remaining $250,000 will go towards seven charitable organizations that align well with Aviva’s core values and will help further the work being done across these charities in diversity, equity and inclusion. Examples of the work Aviva’s contributions will aid include building the leadership skills of women and gender-diverse people to develop their careers, creating opportunities and facilitating economic development in Indigenous communities, supporting neurodivergent people in the workplace, and fostering safe and positive environments where everyone can be themselves. 

“We’re pleased to support organizations and partners that share common values and are paving the way in building stronger and more inclusive communities for Canadians,” said Tracy Garrad, Chief Executive Officer, Aviva Canada.  “I am delighted to see Aviva people giving back and helping to make the season a little more uplifting. We’ll continue to build on the DE&I work Aviva has been doing - who you are and where you come from should never be a barrier to achieving your full potential.”

In addition to the corporate donation, Aviva Canada will be: 

  • mobilizing to collect food donations across all its offices in support of local food banks 
  • triple matching donations made by employees to an eligible cause of choice until the end of year*

 

 


*Subject to Aviva’s AvivaGives policy

 

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Media Contact:

Parveen Singh
Email: parveen.singh@aviva.com
Tel:      437-221-3492

 

About Aviva Canada

Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country, providing home, automobile, lifestyle, and business insurance to 2.4 million customers. A subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, Aviva Canada has more than 4,000 employees focused on creating a bright and sustainable future for our people, our customers, our communities, and our planet. In 2021, we announced our ambition to become a net zero carbon emissions company by 2040, the most demanding target of any major insurance company in the world.

For more information, visit aviva.ca or Aviva Canada’s blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.