Corporate Social Responsibility

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT AT CANADA POST. WE CONTINUE TO BE DEDICATED TO BEHAVING ETHICALLY, GIVING BACK TO CANADIANS, AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN COMMUNITIES FROM COAST TO COAST.

Being in virtually every community across our country is a unique privilege — and responsibility — for our company. In 2008, we continued to work for the benefit of Canadian communities and contribute to their quality of life. We recognize that strong thriving communities benefit all Canadians and Canadian companies — including Canada Post.

From support for the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association and United Way to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, registering new buildings for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and improving the health and safety of employees, we are proud to contribute to Canadians, Canadian society and the environment.

We remain committed to dedicating 1% of the pre-tax profits of The Canada Post Group to non-profit and registered charitable organizations across the country.

In 2008, the company devoted more than $2.7 million to sponsorships, and donated $400,000 to 241 different registered charities and not-for-profit organizations. Canada Post employees also volunteered their time to a further 160 organizations. We maintain openness and accountability in all of our charitable efforts. All submissions for donations or sponsorships must meet strict eligibility criteria.

Mental illness awareness

We made significant strides toward raising awareness of the scope, scale and severity of the effects of mental illness — our cause of choice — on Canada and Canadians in 2008. In the spring, our Board of Directors approved the formation of the Canada Post Foundation for Mental Health. Canada Post donated $150,000 as start-up funds. Guided by an independent board of trustees, the Foundation had a target of raising $1 million by the end of the year. The Foundation not only surpassed this goal, but also connected employees at all levels and across all functions, as individuals and teams embraced our cause of choice.

From October 1 to November 17, 2008, staff in some 3,000 post offices asked customers if they wanted to donate one dollar to the Foundation. The response was overwhelmingly positive, as customers donated a total of $522,000. On October 6, 2008, Canada Post issued a stamp to raise awareness of, and funds for, mental health. The cost of a booklet of 10 stamps included a surcharge of $1, with all proceeds going to the Foundation. Demand for the stamp has been strong, and sales raised $250,000 in 2008. Employees organized events that ranged from lunch-hour head shaving and pizza lunches to ice cream socials. In 2009, with ongoing support from employees, businesses and the public, the Foundation will continue to raise money and awareness, and begin to distribute funds to those in need.

Literacy has long been an area of importance and involvement for us. In 2008, for the second year in a row, we were the presenting sponsor of the CanWest Canspell National Spelling Bee. This partnership is one example of how we strive to celebrate excellence in academic achievement and encourage positive study habits. Additionally, the Canada Post Literacy Awards recognize the accomplishments of adults who have learned to read and write, and the individuals and organizations that helped them succeed. In 2008, we made awards to 16 individuals.

We are also committed to helping young people continue their education. The Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award (AEIA) celebrates Aboriginal people who have overcome personal, economic or social adversity in their pursuit of learning. Sixteen recipients were awarded a cash prize of $1,000 in 2008. We also provide direct educational support to the children of full- and part-time employees through our Scholarship Program.

Environmental sustainability

Given our national presence, we are especially committed to managing our environmental footprint. We are dedicated to implementing energy-conservation strategies and recycling programs, and encouraging the purchase and use of supplies that are recycled, recyclable, reusable, renewable or otherwise environmentally sustainable.

Our commitment to register all major new buildings for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is consistent with our efforts to conserve resources, protect the environment and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. In 2008, we registered eight buildings for LEED certification.

Green products

We introduced our first carbon-neutral product in 2008: new prepaid shipping envelopes for Xpresspost and Priority Next A.M. These envelopes are 100-per-cent recyclable and include carbon-neutral packaging, which means that the carbon emissions associated with the life cycle of the envelopes is offset by carbon credits purchased through Zerofootprint. To select the “greenest” envelopes possible, we rated the environmental friendliness of manufacturers’ envelopes against more than 60 criteria, including the extent to which materials used to create the envelope came from renewable resources and the characteristics of inks and adhesives.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

In 2008, we launched a formal corporate social responsibility framework and strategy, and appointed a Senior Vice-President of CSR. Along with our CSR Steering Committee, the Senior Vice-President is responsible for planning, executing and reporting on our CSR activities. Additionally, the Board of Directors’ Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Committee was renamed the Corporate Social Responsibility, ­Environment and Occupational Health and Safety Committee, and its terms of reference were modified to include corporate social responsibility and compliance.