As Forbes recently reported, there are many trends in social responsibility that are dominating this year and will most likely play a significant role in the practices of businesses and corporations moving forward into 2020.
Like in the US, Canadian workplaces are receiving training on increasingly complex topics such as the combating of sexual harassment, pay equity and the increase and mobilization of sustainability efforts. In that context, various educational institutes and consulting groups are also heeding this call by forming their own curriculum. For example, Learning for a Sustainable Future is teaching youth and educators how to create more sustainable communities. According to the Dalhousie University’s official website, a number of Canadian universities currently offer graduate programs in sustainability. It should be mentioned that many of these academic programs are spearheaded by the largest universities in the country.
Natural disasters, including earthquakes, wildfires, floods, droughts, and hurricanes, continue to cause massive damage to the environment and to local communities throughout the world. In 2017, the International Encyclopedia of Public Health (Second Edition) reported that “from 2000 to 2009, natural disasters caused $891 billion in damage worldwide.” Due to the increasing risk of natural disasters, more companies are working with local communities to prevent and reduce the potential impacts of a natural disaster. One important case in Canada is the BC Hydro and Power Authority’s funding of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Alert System, an emergency notification system that alerts residents of local emergencies via telephone, by text or email. In addition, in partnership with local and national government agencies, FireSmart Canada helped provide education and training to First Nations on managing the risk of wildfires and mitigating “the intensity and spread of wildfires.”
In addition to promoting initiatives based on diversity and inclusion, it has become evident that more companies are now working to ensure the equity in the treatment of their employees and customers. For example, Canadian multinational bank Scotiabank has worked to expand the representation of women in its leadership positions by identifying and employing women at the senior management level. Moreover, Air Canada, which was rated one of Canada’s Top Diversity Employers for the last three years, proactively provides equal career opportunities to all people, including women, members of the aboriginal community and people with disabilities. Air Canada continues to partner with various organizations and participated in local events to ensure the hiring of diverse group of employees.
At Transverto Technology, Inc., we are firmly committed in helping Saskatchewan Companies meet their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals. Our plan of action is simple— to divert food waste from landfills and to transform and regenerate it into value-added fertilizer that will be provided to our farmers throughout Canada.
