Several Ottawa businesses and corporate leaders were honoured Thursday night at the United Way/Centraide Ottawa's Community Builder of the Year Awards Gala.

A member of more than a half-dozen boards of the city's art, business, health and charitable organizations, TELUS' Janet Yale was named Volunteer of the Year. Previously named one of Canada's most powerful women by the Women's Executive Network, Ms. Yale has been an active volunteer with the United Way since 2001 and is currently chairperson of the city's Leadership Table on Homelessness.

Ronald F. Caza, honoured with the Ambassador's Award, has also been an active United Way volunteer. A partner at Heenan Blaikie, Mr. Caza is described as "a true ambassador for the French-speaking community," especially for disadvantaged children and those in need of affordable housing. He was also praised for defending the rights of French-speaking minorities.

The first third-language radio station in Ottawa-Gatineau, CHIN Ottawa Radio, was given the Ambassador's Award for New Canadians and Immigrants. Launched in the fall of 2003, CHIN serves approximately 37 distinct cultural groups in 20 different languages and led the way for similar broadcast operations to be established in other communities.

TD Canada Trust was given the Community Builder Award in the Children and Youth category for its support of a wide range of children's programs and initiatives, which include helping to fundraise for the Children's Miracle Network, sponsoring and helping out on the River Run for Easter Seals Kids and making annual donations to the Toy Mountain 15 Days of Christmas initiative.