Smart Commute held its second annual Employer of the Year awards recently at St. Lawrence Hall in Toronto.

Ten workplaces from Hamilton to Newmarket to Ajax were recognized for their outstanding efforts to help employees get to work by walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling and telework instead of driving in single occupancy vehicles.

Husky Injection Molding Systems of Bolton is this year's Employer of the Year in Brampton- Caledon. Mark Carr, executive director of Smart Commute Brampton- Caledon, was pleased to present the award to Ryan Fabi, director of environmental health and safety for Husky.

"Husky continues to be an important leader with Smart Commute Brampton-Caledon," Carr remarked. "They have partnered from our initial stakeholder meetings and continued their strong support as a member."

Husky has maintained that "by joining Smart Commute Brampton- Caledon, we can work with our employees to enable the use of sustainable modes of transportation and enjoy the many associated benefits."

Husky was recognized for efforts in conservation and reducing their carbon footprint by promoting carpooling, walking and cycling to their employees. Husky introduced a corporate bicycle program for their employees to travel from one manufacturing facility to another at their Bolton campus. Husky is involved with Carpool Zone, Clean Air Commute, Earth Day and cycling initiatives to promote a better environment in their community. Participation is Carpool Zone has resulted in significant savings for the individuals and the environment and has been leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing healthy transportation choices while working to improve employee job satisfaction and recruitment.

Husky Injection Molding Systems was founded in 1953 by Robert Schad as a small machine shop in a Toronto garage. Today, Husky is one of the world's leading suppliers of injection molding equipment and services to the global plastics industry. John Galt, president and CEO, continues to lead by offering employees, "an impeccable reputation for integrity and social responsibility in a work environment that has been consistently rated as one of the best."

Winners were selected by an independent panel of community members from various sectors across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Nominations were evaluated on the employer's commitment to the program, leadership in their communities, innovation and results.

Other winning employers include aircraft landing gear manufacturer Messier-Dowty, vaccine producer sanofi pasteur, transportation consulting firm MMM Group, publisher Pearson Canada, the City of Toronto, the City of Mississauga, the Town of Oakville and the City of Hamilton.

Smart Commute is a joint venture between Metrolinx and area municipalities. About 100 employers with more than 250,000 employees have signed on to the Smart Commute program.

Smart Commute Brampton-Caledon is a Private Public Partnership with the Region of Peel, Metrolinx - a Crown agency of the Province of Ontario and member employers in the Brampton and Caledon area.