The annual DIVERSEcity Awards of Impact is about celebrating and uplifting diverse changemakers working to create a more equitable and sustainable world. This year, we presented awards to recipients in 10 award categories. Over the next few weeks, we will spotlight each of the inspiring winners to recognize their achievements and amplify their message!
Being a changemaker is about making a difference for others, improving your community and creating a social impact! Anyone with ideas, empathy and the courage to share their voice can move issues forward to help solve the challenges we face in a changing world.
The annual DIVERSEcity Awards of Impact is about celebrating and uplifting diverse changemakers working to create a more equitable and sustainable world. This year, we presented awards to recipients in 10 award categories. Over the next few weeks, we will spotlight each of the inspiring winners to recognize their achievements and amplify their message!
Let’s start with a community leader who has been creating positive change in the City of Surrey for more than four decades – Hon. Bruce Ralson, retiring MLA for Surrey–Whalley and cabinet minister. Hon. Ralston was awarded the Community Changemaker Award, sponsored by TD Bank. To a standing ovation, he walked to the stage, as his long list of achievements were described.
A lawyer by profession, Mr. Ralston served as a councillor on Surrey City Council from 1988 to 1993, where he advocated for planned development for healthy neighbourhoods for Surrey families. Elected as the MLA for Surrey-Whalley in 2005, he has had a consistent focus on creating positive change and improving the lives of underserved populations through sustainable development, economic innovation and community empowerment. As a provincial politician, he served as president of the BC NDP from 1996 to 2001, NDP House Leader in 2014, as well as Minister of Forests, Minister responsible for the Consular Corps, Minister of Energy and Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, and Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology.
His nominator, Jane Shin, Vice President of Students and Community Development, Vancouver Community College, and a former board director of DIVERSEcity, said in her nomination: “His holistic and inclusive approach to leadership has not only addressed immediate community needs but also laid the groundwork for long-term positive change.”
With humility and humour, Mr. Ralston called the description of his achievements read onstage as “very generous.” He went on to compliment DIVERSEcity’s Board, team and range of work.
“Surrey — and the communities we serve — is the future of British Columbia and it’s not much of a reach to say it’s the future of Canada. It’s the fastest-growing city in our province and we are engaged in profound change as we welcome newcomers and their families seeking to establish themselves here. The work that you do is invaluable and I’m proud to say that I played a part in the unfolding of that particular story.”
Mr. Ralston is now completing his fifth term as NDP MLA and is not running in the current provincial election.
Learn more about the 2024 DIVERSEcity Awards of Impact recipients here