407 ETR Honoured with Two National Awards for Excellence in Communication

Highway operator recognized for marketing innovation and corporate social responsibility initiatives

TORONTO — 407 ETR has been recognized nationally for its leadership in communication and community engagement, earning two prestigious Silver Leaf Awards of Excellence from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Canada. The highway operator’s Communications and Government Relations team received honours in Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication and Corporate Social Responsibility, distinguishing 407 ETR as one of only 16 organizations recognized across Canada this year.

“Our team was the only one recognized for Corporate Social Responsibility out of all the awards given this year,” said Jose Espinosa, President & CEO of 407 ETR. “Giving back to the community was central to both campaigns, and we plan to expand our community investments in the coming year. We hope our efforts inspire other organizations to see the impact they too can make.”

The winning campaigns exemplified 407 ETR’s blend of creativity, measurable engagement, and purpose-driven communication.

Celebrate 25! Campaign

To mark its 25th anniversary in 2024, 407 ETR launched Celebrate 25! Upgrade your Drive — a province-wide marketing contest that thanked customers for 25 years of fast, safe, and reliable travel. The campaign drew over 225,000 entries, offering 25 prizes including a 2025 Honda CR-V and a year of free travel on Highway 407 ETR. Participants engaged through various actions, from opening a My Account to donating to United Way Greater Toronto.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Restoring Biodiversity

In 2023, 407 ETR began a three-year, $500,000 partnership with the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) to support the Rights-of-Way as Habitat program. The initiative aims to restore biodiversity along the highway corridor and has already surpassed its goal—restoring over 15 hectares of pollinator habitats across Ontario. Through collaborations with municipalities and environmental groups, 407 ETR showcased its commitment to sustainability, community well-being, and environmental education.

“This recognition underscores the impact of strategic communications in connecting with customers, communities, and advancing sustainability,” said Christina Basil, Vice President, Communications & Government Relations. “We’re thrilled to see these campaigns spark change—from restoring pollinator habitats to inspiring charitable giving across the GTA.”

One IABC judge described the biodiversity campaign as “the perfect example of a triple win – helping the company’s perception, the community, and the country as a whole.”

Fast Facts: 407 ETR Achievements

• Won IABC Toronto Ovation Award for Corporate Social Responsibility (May 2025)

• Achieved World Class Customer Experience certification from Service Quality Measurement Group (11th year for Customer Service; 8th year for Business Support)

• IT security team ranked among Top 100 Information Security Teams of 2024 by OnCon Icon Awards

• Recognized as a Local Leader by United Way Greater Toronto for the sixth consecutive year

• Received the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association

• Invested over $10 million in community programs since 2020

For more information, visit 407etr.com.

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