National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

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It’s crucial to understand the importance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and its role in the reconciliation process as September 30, 2022, approaches. The purpose of this day is to provide individuals with an opportunity to acknowledge and remember the terrible legacy of residential schools.

 For Survivors, September is a challenging month of the year. It is a heartbreaking reminder of the time of year when countless Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their homes, sent to residential schools, cut off from their relatives and communities, and stripped of their possessions.

It is vitally essential for all Canadians to learn about the Residential School System from Survivors, their families, communities, and others who have been impacted by it. The system kept children away from their families for long periods and banned them from acknowledging their Indigenous heritage, culture, or native language.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day is an opportunity for all Canadians to learn, reflect and share what they can about the First Nations communities. Listening to and honoring Indigenous voices is fundamental to reconciliation, and that’s what today is all about.

Wear Orange on September 30

The orange shirt is a symbol of the loss of culture, freedom, and self-esteem experienced by Indigenous children across generations, and Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led grassroots Remembrance Day designed to promote the concept that “Every Child Matters.”

It’s a time for us all to reflect on Canada’s residential school system’s impact on Indigenous Peoples, the indignity and suffering that Indigenous Peoples experienced in the past, and the resulting concerns they still face today. We’ll keep learning more about the history of Indigenous Peoples and finding out how we can help drive positive change.

The PTAG team stands in solidarity with the victims, survivors, their families, and the indigenous communities. We honor and respect this national day for Truth and Reconciliation and every day throughout the year. PTAG is a committed member of the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB). We understand our role in the society and as a business, we feel it’s our responsibility to help bring resources and educate the members of our indigenous community for them to prosper.

Today and every day, Every Child Matters.

Start your learning journey today!

The establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The creation of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Delivering on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)

Phyllis’ Story (orangeshirtday.org)

Watch Now !

UNO Award-winning artist Elisapie hosts a special that honors the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples affected by the tragedies of the residential school system in Canada, with musical tributes and ceremonies in Indigenous communities across the land.

It’s a Good Day to Be Indigenous, by Amanda Kahgee

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By Amanda Kahgee

National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada is a day for many Canadians to learn about the country’s Indigenous Peoples; First Nations, Inuit, and Metis. It is an opportunity to learn about their histories and cultures.  However, for many of Canada’s Indigenous peoples, like myself, it is a reminder of our resilience to overcome the adversities of colonialism, oppression, and assimilation. It is a day for us to reclaim our identities through practicing our culture, ceremonies, experiences, and stories. It represents hope for our people’s future and the healing of our nations, and generations.

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Join PTAG’s Ugo Santone for a Virtual Panel Discussion on Pathways to Employment in Project Management during Centennial College’s virtual conference.

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In a continued effort to leverage our experience in project management to collaborate with our community members, PTAG has stepped up to be a part of Centennial College’s Career Services and Co-operative Education department’s Virtual Panel Discussion on Pathways to Employment in Project Management.

PTAG’s Partner of Professional Services and Talent Management Ugo Santone is pleased to be part of the panel alongside other industry experts and be amongst the aspiring students and recent graduates in the field of Project Management to share his extensive experience that will help young minds to launch their career in this field.

Ugo Santone is a Human Resources and Talent Management Professional with over 20 years of experience in business development, talent management & acquisition, operations, and human resources. He works closely with key stakeholders to lead project team development, establish an organizational structure, project planning, provide consulting on implementing Project Team Organizations, Resourcing Strategies, Resource Management, PMO & Construction Management Team development, and Onboarding & Mobilization for large scale Capital Projects both domestically and globally.

By engaging with the young minds who are interested in the path of Project Management by guiding them towards the appropriate channels and approaches, sharing day-to-day experiences at the job, and required skills in the industry these students can gain knowledge to build a good foundation towards launching a fruitful career.

Join this session on December 1st from 4 – 6 PM to gain knowledge from the experts that will help you launch your career in this field.

Save your spot and see more details of the program on HireCentennial.

Know more about the speaker:

PTAG partners with Ontario Tech University to prepare professionals in the application of Project Management concepts, tools, and processes in their work.

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In coordination with Ontario Tech University, PTAG has developed a new course for master’s students and industry professionals. The course will run online for 6 weeks starting November 2nd.

Through this course, PTAG aims to support youth and those industry professionals seeking knowledge in the career path of Project Management. PTAG’s leaders with years of experience in project management and capital projects will be delivering the course at Ontario Tech University.

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PTAG Team works with Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce’s construction site in the Saugeen First Nation 29.

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Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce is the oldest existing Habitat affiliate in Canada. It was started in 1987 and has been building houses in Grey and Bruce Counties since then. Originally, they built a house every 2 or 3 years but are now building multiple houses every year. In 2021 they are building 4 houses for the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation in Neyaashiinigmiing, just north of Wiarton and 4 houses for the Saugeen First Nation 29 near Southampton. 

Habitat builds houses using as much donated material as possible and many volunteers to build a house. Electrical, Plumbing, Roofing and Drywall are done by professionals while everything else is done by employees and volunteers. Once the house is built the families purchase these affordable homes from Habitat for Humanity with no down-payment and zero interest mortgage which is not more than 25% of the family income to make it easy for the families to homeownership. Homeownership is one of the most important ways for a family or an individual to build a strong and stable future. 

In 2017, Habitat Grey Bruce signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation to build one house. Following the success of that house, Habitat Grey Bruce and the Chippewas of Nawash became the first partners in Canada to build houses using CMHC funding. This pilot project has lead to many houses being built on First Nation land. 

PTAG’s Senior management staff rolled up their sleeves to help with the construction site work with Habitat for Humanity in the Saugeen First Nation 29 near Southampton. PTAG strongly believes in giving back to the community where we live, and work in. We are proud that our team shares the same values and are committed to help the community. For years PTAG is helping business owners, contractors and project teams manage their capital projects successfully. We have a close association with the construction industry; however, this experience was different as our trade skills were put to test. It has been a very fulfilling experience as it was not just about making a house but something bigger i.e., being part of building a house that would provide safety and stable future to the families.  

Our team worked on the houses in Saugeen First Nation 29 near Southampton helping with the final push to finish the siding on two homes.  

PTAG is grateful for the opportunity, and commends Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce for their leadership in the community. We look forward to helping again soon.  

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Know more on PTAG’s Corporate Social Responsibility

PTAG Team partners with 360ºKIDS to help prepare the yards at their two youth shelter homes in Markham, Ontario.

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PTAG values the communities that we live and work in. We are committed to extending our support to social causes and we encourage our employees to be involved in local social responsibility initiatives.

Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to volunteer preparing the yards for the fall season at two youth shelter homes through 360ºKIDS in Markham, Ontario.  360ºKIDS is a community organization assisting homeless youth in York Region for decades.

This volunteering drive was spearheaded by PTAG resident gardeners Michael Dubreuil (Managing Partner) along with Basil Mocherniak (Director of Operations) and Shannon Sahota (CFO) bringing with them their extensive experience and passion for gardening.  Their energy and experience guided the team on various aspects of the job. “It was a great learning and a fulfilling experience.” said one of our young associates.

Putting aside their day jobs the PTAG team spent the entire day bringing back the charm to these homes.   When we arrived we were met with a mini jungle — bit by bit we dug in and started cleaning. The outcome was very fulfilling, and we all felt touched by the feedback received from the caretakers of these homes.

We at PTAG harbour a very open work environment, where people are encouraged to interact and learn from each other keeping aside their professional hierarchy. We believe this helps us nurture talent and prepare leaders for tomorrow. Volunteering days are a fantastic example of this.

See the before and after photos.

To know more about 360ºKIDS visit their website: https://www.360kids.ca/about-us/

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Today and every day PTAG stands in solidarity with the residential school survivors, their families, and our indigenous community members.

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Today September 30th, 2021, marks Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, promoting awareness of Canada’s residential schools and the trauma they caused Indigenous and Métis Peoples for generations.

PTAG team stands in solidarity with the victims, survivors, their families, and the indigenous communities. We honor and respect this national day for Truth and Reconciliation and every day throughout the year. We are committed towards the upliftment and strengthening of our indigenous community.

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PTAG’s Partner at Bachra Memorial Golf Tournament fundraiser event for Markham Stouffville Hospital ICU Beds.

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On August 20th, 2021, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation’s Board Chair Bill Bachra and his family held a memorial golf tournament to commemorate his late father who passed away 30 years ago. This event seemed like a perfect way to honor him and to recognize MS Hospital for its service.

With the support from friends and business associates of Bill and his family, $225,000 was raised for the purchase of 4 beds for the Intensive Care Unit of Oak Valley Health’s MS Hospital. This comes at a time when our health infrastructure needs a boost. Such community-driven initiatives are building blocks for the betterment of our community not only in terms of raising money for a cause but also bringing people together.

“Considering the current state of ICU beds, and the strain on our health care system due to the pandemic, the effort and fundraising efforts by the Bachra family was greatly appreciated. It was a pleasure to be part of such a well-run and worthy cause.” Chris Deidun – PTAG’s Partner for Business Development.

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Remembering Gwen Altpeter

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The Hospital Activity Book for children first began in 1995 and is designed for children keeping their well-being in mind. The activities in the book target children between the ages of 2 – 12 years old with a wide range of activities for a variety of ages such as dot-to-dot and colouring pages, advanced puzzles, etc. PTAG has been a proud supporter and sponsor of The Hospital Activity Book for children for the past 10 years. For this year’s edition of The Hospital Activity Book, PTAG designed a construction scene for the kids to colour.

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