Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC), one of Canada’s leading business and litigation law firms, is proud to announce that Michael Schafler has received a prestigious Mentoring Partnership Award from the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) for his outstanding commitment to helping new immigrants enter the Canadian labour market.

The Special Achievement Award was bestowed by TRIEC’s award-winning Mentoring Partnership program at the fourth annual Mentoring Partnership Awards, sponsored and hosted by TD Bank Financial Group. 

Mr. Schafler – a partner at FMC and the only lawyer among this year’s five award winners – was instrumental in FMC becoming the first law firm to join The Mentoring Partnership as a corporate partner. Today, more than 20 FMC members participate in the program as mentors, many of whom are immigrants themselves. It is a natural extension of the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, which was formalized in 2006 to ensure the firm’s national workforce truly represents the rich diversity of the local communities in which FMC practises. The firm plans to expand the program to its five other regional offices across Canada.

“Mentoring skilled immigrants speaks loudly to FMC’s commitment to fostering a diverse work culture without barriers, and our firm’s involvement with TRIEC’s Mentoring Partnership program expands on this belief,” said Mr. Schafler, a two-time mentor. “I feel privileged to be recognized for doing something that is so close to my heart. Together with my wonderful colleagues at Fraser Milner Casgrain, I look forward to mentoring many more newcomers so they can achieve their professional goals in Canada.”

“A true role model, Michael’s achievement is a direct reflection of what Fraser Milner Casgrain stands for, and we congratulate him on this much-deserved award,” said Michel Brunet, chair and CEO of FMC. “His accomplishment is another success that FMC is so proud of, as this year, our firm has experienced many exciting diversity and inclusion developments. Other milestone accomplishments we have recently achieved are:

• joining The Mentoring Partnership as corporate partner (Sept 2008)
• launching our own Legal Professional Internship in Toronto (Winter 2008/2009)
• being named one of the Best Employers for New Canadians 2009 (April 2009)
• joining TRIEC's council (June 2009)
• partnering with the U of T Faculty of Law's Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (June 2009)

As a firm, we look forward to further thriving in our diversity and inclusion initiative in the coming years.”

Four years ago, FMC’s Director of Information Technology noticed a dearth of skilled technology candidates in the IT department, despite the large numbers of skilled technology professionals immigrating to Canada. He began volunteering his time to advise skilled immigrants, review their CVs, and speak at workshops to break down the barriers. Through these efforts, FMC has hired a number of skilled immigrants throughout the firm. Mr. Schafler continues to champion the Mentoring Partnership program to other Canadian law firms.

Launched in 2004, TRIEC’s Mentoring Partnership brings together recent skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation-specific mentoring relationships. Skilled immigrants entering the program have the education, experience, and language skills to succeed in the labour market. What they need are the local insights and access to professional networks that only a one-to-one professional connection with a mentor can offer.

“Michael Schafler undoubtedly deserves The Mentoring Partnership’s Special Achievement Award this year,” said Elizabeth McIsaac, executive director of TRIEC. “He offers his valuable insight and guidance to help skilled immigrants navigate the local job market and find meaningful employment that matches their qualifications. We thank Michael for his efforts and look forward to working with FMC and our other corporate partners to better leverage skilled immigrant talent.”

Mr. Schafler was presented with the Mentoring Partnership Award at a special ceremony hosted in Toronto last evening. The four other award winners hail from the information technology and engineering, finance, human resources and business sectors.

For more information, contact:

Alison Janzen
Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
+1 416 863 4455
alison.janzen@fmc-law.com

Melissa Gambino
Maverick Public Relations Inc.
+1 416 640 5525, ext. 244
melissag@maverickpr.com